Sudbury’s Liberal Democrat councillors have demanded that the former allotments at Elms Gardens be brought back into use as part of Brent Council’s Food Growing and Allotments Strategy. Councillors Chandubhai Patel and Paul Lorber are urging the Council to work in partnership with local people who have expressed an interest in helping out.
Speaking at Monday’s Executive meeting Councillor Paul Lorber asked Labour councillors to confirm whether they had dropped plans they had originally agreed in November 2010 to build up to 27 flats on the greenfield site in Sudbury. The land was abandoned by the Council 20 years ago and is capable of being reinstated to allotments or a wild garden.
Councillor Patel and Councillor Lorber want Brent Council to listen to local residents and include the abandoned land in the allotment strategy. There are currently 268 people on the waiting list for allotments in Brent.
Cllr Chandubhai Patel said:
“The council needs to make clear its plans for the old allotment site. Until an official announcement is made, residents will understandably be concerned that Labour could go back to the original plan to develop the land. Allotments are increasingly popular. Returning the site to its original use, and perhaps setting aside some of the area for wildlife, would be a positive move for local people. If the council helps clear the site local residents could take it over and help manage it in the future.”
