Page 51 - ALG Issue 3 2018 (printable)

The Tale of Tatton Street Allotments, Ordsall
This is the story of how the allotments at Tatton Street in Ordsall, Salford, came into being. This would not have happened if
it wasn’t for a group of dedicated local residents who were determined, despite many obstacles along the way, to have an allotment site in their local area.
In 2007, I was invited to the Ordsall Green Framework meeting. This was set up to discuss various projects within the Ordsall area. It was at this meeting that I was asked if there was any possibility
of opening a brand new allotment site in the area. I could see that this particular group were passionate about their request. They were advised to form a constituted group so that they had access to external funding.
We then had the small problem of identifying a suitable site. The first choice was an area of derelict land that had not been used for years. This was immediately knocked back as it had been earmarked for the building of a youth club.
In 2008, a further site was identified. This was the site of an old school that belonged to the Diocese of Manchester. The Council
set about acquiring the land from the Diocese. However, during
this process it was discovered that the former playing fields were protected under the provisions of section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act, 1998. This meant that redevelopment of this part of the site for alternative use could not be progressed unless either the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families granted consent for disposal, or if equivalent replacement school playing fields were provided.
In 2011 another site was considered: the site of the old Heath Centre, on Tatton Street. However, at this time the Council could
not fund any Capital Projects until 2012/13. The Ordsall Community Allotment Society set about applying to local businesses for funding, and the Council drew up plans and costings. There were a number of things to consider; the land had on it the foundations from the old buildings, services were still live, and the site had a number of mature trees present.
In June 2013, with almost all funding in place, the Society applied for planning permission for the allotments. A consultation took place with the local residents and everything was fine. The Committee were even organising a summer show for the following year, even though the result of the planning application had not been announced!
With planning permission in place and the tendering process completed, the work commenced early 2014. The site was completed around Easter time. Ordsall now had an allotment site consisting of twenty-seven plots, a community orchard, and a composting toilet. The site was officially opened by the elected Mayor of Salford, Ian Stewart, in June 2014. In September the site had their first show, which was a complete success. The show has now become an annual event and is always very well attended.
Steve Dennison, Salford Allotment Officer
The site before work commenced in early 2014
Don Booth, Chairman of the Salford Allotment Federation, and Steve Dennison, Salford Allotment Officer, judging at the Ordsall Show
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