Directorate of Social and Community Services

Libraries and Community Information

Local Studies and Archive Centre, Central Library, Townley Road, Bexleyheath,

Kent DA6 7HJ. Fax 202 8304 7058 www.bexley.gov.uk

Dolly Theis

Dear Ms Theis,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 - INFORMATION REQUEST

Your request for information has now been considered and the information requested is set out below:-

`Can you please provide the information on and where appropriate copies of relevant documents of:'

1) `What land for allotments or growing spaces, both private and public, have you requested in the last 5 years?'

In relation to Section 106 agreements we have not requested any land for allotments to date. The data from our Open Space Strategy indicates that there is an adequate number of allotment places currently within the Borough which are evenly distributed throughout Bexley. Planning obligations can only be collected where it is necessary, directly related and reasonable in scale and kind to the proposed development. As such, due to the number of allotment places currently within the Borough any obligation for land towards allotments is not considered to comply with the three key tests of the Community Infrastructure Regulation 2010.  

2) `From the land requested in the last 5 years, what land has not been put into use for your residents to grow on?'

N/A

3) `How many planning applications do you currently have which could be used to make a Section 106 requirement for land to grow on?'

There is limited opportunity to secure land for the use of allotments within development sites and as such there would not be any opportunity on applications currently being considered where land for allotments could be secured. The Council do secure contributions towards open space which has the capability of being used towards the provision of allotments if needed.  

4) `What targets are in place to increase the use of Section 106 to provide more land for your residents to grow on?'

The Council has an open space provision within our Planning Obligations Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which allows us to collect money for the provision of Open Space which includes allotments.

5) `What is currently being done in your borough to provide alternative land for residents to grow on?'

Over the last year, the Council has re-commissioned two derelict and overgrown allotments to create an additional 50 allotment plots.

If you have any further information needs in the future then please contact me.

If you are unhappy with the way the authority has handled your request, you may ask for an internal review. Please contact the FOI review Officer at [Bexley Borough Council request email] who will arrange an internal review of your case.

You also have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF 
Telephone:  0303 123 1113

www.ico.gov.uk

Yours sincerely

John Grosvenor

Local Studies Librarian and Freedom of Information Officer

Sent by Email to:

[FOI #40856 email]