Page 47 - ALG Issue 4 2014 Digital Edition

Badgercote Allotments 2009–2014 (Limey Valley Allotment Association)
It was way back in 2009 when local residents, through their residents association (the Limey Valley Residents Association) discussed the possibility
of approaching the local Council for the provision of land for allotments. Rossendale Borough Council responded positively and the search for suitable land started. Several pieces of land were considered but finally, the present site was chosen.
We had now identified 1.9 hectares of disused meadow gently sloping to the west. It would be developed in two phases; the first with 28 plots and the second with a further 16 plots should there be a demand. At this point, August 2012, the Limey Valley Allotment Association was formed and constituted.
Groundwork was approached to produce a plan and Lancashire County Council agreed to foot the bill for this. The final plan included 21 full plots (10m x 20m) some of which were designated as half plots. We also included 4 easy access half size plots for allotmenteers with disabilities and 3 starter plots for those unsure about taking on responsibility for a larger commitment. There is also a community plot (90ft x 60ft) which is available for use by local schools and community groups.
Local MP, Jake Berry and local and County Councillors paid a (publicity) visit on what was probably the coldest and snowiest day of the year.
A start for the 2013 season was envisaged (you should never envisage!).
The first hurdle was the access track where there is a prescriptive right of way together with a public footpath. We wanted to upgrade the track to allow disabled allotmenteers to access their plots by
car. However, after a protracted process
establishing ownership of the path and a planning application, we were forced to identify alternative access on council land, which we did with council support.
This time we had to commission an ecological survey because of the nearby badger sett and the possibility of the presence of greater crested newts. The bulk of the cost of this was met by our local Ward Councillor from a fund she had access to. The survey was favourable to our project with an absence of newts and the response from the local Badger Trust that “badgers would be more of a threat to our crops than we would be to them”. A second planning application was submitted and approved unanimously by the planners in December 2013.
After such a long wait, we looked again at our project and decided that our most urgent need was for fencing. As
a rural site area we have little evidence
of vandalism, but a 2m fence was recommended. Furthermore, since we are in the countryside, roe deer abound and they would make short work of any crops we planted. There is also a badger sett bordering our site which means
that anything the roe deer didn’t eat, the badgers would finish off! Thirdly, rabbits abound...need I say more?
The Woodland Trust provided us with 400 trees to start our hedgerow. We organised a tree-planting day and the turnout was such that over 350 trees were in the soil and supported with canes in 90 minutes. We are now seeking a further supply to complete the hedge in the November planting. A Lottery bid was submitted for the cost of fencing and disabled access within the site in May 2014. We have now been notified by the “Awards for All” that we have been granted the full £10,000 cost of
First Compost bin award goes to Ray
the fencing and access!
Local support has been superb. Several
members of our association have no wish to rent a plot. Instead they prefer to potter about doing odd jobs and helping out
with the community plots and with hedge and pathway maintenance. As we have committed ourselves to improving the area “outside the fence” their support will be invaluable when restoring a wildlife pond, wildflower meadow and public orchard. We have been gifted a Rotavator, a ride-on mower, and, for smaller areas, a self- propelled petrol mower.
In the early days we were offered the
use of a “dozer and driver” to upgrade the pathway. Six local stables have agreed to provide us “with as much horse-muck as
we can cart”. Incredible Edible have agreed to maintain an area of the site, outside the fence, for their activities. A local resident approached us and offered us his mower as he had bought a new one. The mower was almost new and is designated for maintaining pathways. We have our own “police force”. Dog walkers use the perimeter of the field and keep an eye out for any “suspicious activities” which may take place. A local contractor has offered to provide a simple but brand new community building 13' x 10' for communal storage, brewing/sitting area and perhaps a small bookshelf.
By the start of the 2015 season we should have some beds ready, a new access track and car park, a new security fence and gate and a community building. There will also be a scattering of individual huts and greenhouses.
So now the real work begins...
See it all at www.badgercoteallotments.com. Darryl Nugent
First greenhouse award is won by Gareth
Mike snatched the First Bed award
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