Gordon Backs Green Initiatives At Allotment Visit
Gordon has met with members of Blackpool’s Federation of Allotment Associations, and is backing efforts to get them more resources and expand access to the community.
Gordon met allotment holders, along with the Council’s Allotment officer Justine Hall, at the Cherry Tree allotments near Mereside and toured the site with them. Cherry Tree is one of the largest of Blackpool’s eight allotments which are linked into the Council’s current allotment strategy.
‘What people are doing here ties straight into the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn’s latest initiative to use more green open spaces to grow food. There have undoubtedly been improvements at the eight sites in the past few years, and residents and organisations who have taken plots have made a major contribution with the spare time, labour, expertise and money raising they’ve brought in.’ Gordon said after his visit. ‘But they do need more help, especially to maintain fences, help renew derelict plots and maintain the smaller dykes that criss-cross many of the allotments. This is a particular issue at Cherry Tree with its closeness to Marton Moss.’
‘They are urging the Council to give them a regular capital budget, however modest, for these things. I support them over this. There has to be a regular maintenance strategy for all the sites, as the Council’s scrutiny committee recommended a few years ago, and that needs a regular budget, as well as welcome one-off money from councillor’s ward budgets and some Lottery support.’
‘Cherry Tree has community plots which are well used and we need to look at getting more availability for groups which will enable more people in Blackpool to get enjoyment from green finger exercise, currently there’s a long waiting list on all the sites.’
‘I am 100% behind initiatives in Blackpool that emphasis how important our green areas are for our health, environment and peace of mind, and the allotments should be a central part of that strategy.’
