I enclose details and notes on progress being made with regard to the possibility of allotments being provided within Stratton.

The Parish Council have accepted that an 'unofficial' approach be made via a local landowner, to try and gain their voluntary agreement and involvement is providing land for allotments. The approach has been through an exchange of e-mails covering basic scenario's, possible locations, an understanding of what both parties want, and the ability to try and bring that to a mutually convenient and supportable position.

The land owner obviously has to consider his own needs - security of premises, security of livestock, location, suitability of land, and the likely cessation of grants and legal agreements to free up that land - such agreements are usually for set periods of time and are not easily removed. The question of levels of income, and costs incurred with fencing or marking off an area for allotments has also to be borne in mind.

The Parish in trying to gain the voluntary agreement of the land owner, have been looking at the suitability of several areas of land which have been mentioned, suitability of access, provision of services such as water, effect of location on other residents of the parish, and the likely cost of any rental agreement and setting up costs and the like.

After discussion on several likely parcels of land, discussions have centred on one location. This area of land, which might be suitable to all parties, unfortunately currently involves grants and a legal agreement which cannot be altered for a number of years (possibly another 3 years). The area of land however, does have some problems with access, and is known to have already 'upset' some residents as they feel it is too close to their homes, and have made comments that they do not want allotments next to their houses. The strength of this feeling is not fully known at present, but will have to be borne in mind by Councillors if the project is to proceed.

Discussions have been held with a group of allotment holders in another parish on how they proceeded and what processes were set-up to control, allocate and undertake day to day management of their allotments. Some good advice and a potential way forward have come out of these discussions, as well as sample contacts and rules of use.

It is likely that to fully gauge opinion for and against the provision of allotments, that a General Parish Meeting will be called for all interested parties to attend and express their opinion. This will allow the Parish Council to clearly understand likely demand and the number of allotment parcels required, and this in turn will clearly indicate the likely area of land that would be required from the landowner. Equally, the level of opposition against the idea of allotments, or merely being against a specific location will be known.

This calling of a General meeting will be placed before the next Parish Council meeting, and subject to their decision, a meeting could be called within the next two months.