Town Council website:
11 March at 14:05 ·
ALLOTMENTS
In response to a resident’s query, here is a summary of the position in relation to allotments in Cranbrook:
Allotments were originally proposed within the Ingrams land application (14/2137/MRES), however, the allotments have since been removed from the scheme as the location did not work so close to the sports pitches. This prompted the current renegotiation of the legal agreement. A revised agreement will still make provision for allotments in Cranbrook. Until an…y revisions to the legal agreement are finalised we are unable to give a definite timeline as to when the allotments will be laid out and completed. Allotments are supposed to be complete prior to the first occupation of 1700 dwellings.
There is still a requirement for allotments in Cranbrook and provision has been (and will continue to be) made in the legal agreement to ensure allotments come forward, but at this stage with no allotments yet approved or available, there is no mechanism for residents to be able to apply for a plot.
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· Reply · 11 March at 16:03
I gave up my allotment in Exmouth when I moved here in 2014 because I was told one would be available to me here. This is still not the case, yet this is supposed to be a town that is promoted as healthy and sustainable. I’m actually really cross about it. My inability to grow food here has caused a significant rise in the cost of feeding my family, and the local shop has very poor healthy options for food. The local growers who sell at the market are expensive and not selling what my family need. I can’t even grow food in my garden because the ground is so poor that the grass won’t even grow and greenhouses add to the rat problem. To say that they will be added at some point is not acceptable. I moved here based on a series of assurances about services and infrastructure that have now all become lies.”
East Devon Watch 
Local authorities are required by law to provide allotment space if there is an established need for them.
I think this needs the community to push for allotment provision.
I’d urge any Cranbrook residents to promote this, urgently to EDDC.
They will try to find ways of avoiding their legal obligation however, once they have been informed of intent, there is apparently no time limit. Good luck Cranbrook! There’s fabulous growing conditions out there ….
Attached is the LAW. EvenEDDC cannot deny this!
Planning Policy Guidance 17 (PPG17) requires that local authorities make provision for all types of open space that may be of public value. It also requires local authorities to undertake robust assessments of local needs for, and audits of, existing open space, sports and recreational facilities and to establish standards for new provision. It is expected that by implementing the guidance in PPG17, local authorities should make adequate provision for allotments.
Furthermore, if an allotment authority is of the opinion that there is a demand for allotments in its area, it is required under Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908, to provide a sufficient number of allotments and to let them to persons residing in its area who want them.
Written representations may be made to the local authority on the need for allotments by any 6 residents on the electoral register or persons liable to pay council tax, and the local authority must take those representations into account (section 23(2) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908). The Council must assess whether there is a demand for allotments in their area. If the council decides that there is a demand for allotments; they have a statutory duty to provide a sufficient number of plots. In terms of the duty to provide under section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 there is no time limit for provision once it has been established that there is a demand.
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