24/07: Fortis Green Allotments under threat - July 2009
Thames Water have announced it will sell their Muswell Hill allotments to the highest bidder and is encouraging developers to think they will be able to overturn Haringey Council planning restrictions and build up to 48 dwellings on the Fortis Green Allotments. All those who know the non-cash value of allotments for health, wildlife, food growing, glimpses of the land, etc., please sign the following epetition: www.ipetitions.com/petition/savefortisgreenallotments
The Fortis Green reservoir site used to be part of a larger green space and wildlife corridor that has been eaten away by progressive building development over the past two decades. Some of the plot-holders have been growing fruit and vegetables there for thirty years, and there have been allotments on the site at least since the 1920s. In Islington we are all too aware of the demand for more allotments as Islington has only a handful (but plans are afoot for a few new ones!). Haringey Council estimates that it needs space for 1,500 new plots by 2016, such is the popular demand.
For more information please see: www.savefortisgreenallotments.com.
Thames Water is now owned by Australian investment bank MacQuarie, and any responsibility which Thames Water as a public utility had for societal benefit has vanished under the requirement to achieve best cash benefits to owners and shareholders - this sell-off is a clear example. (Ed)
The Fortis Green reservoir site used to be part of a larger green space and wildlife corridor that has been eaten away by progressive building development over the past two decades. Some of the plot-holders have been growing fruit and vegetables there for thirty years, and there have been allotments on the site at least since the 1920s. In Islington we are all too aware of the demand for more allotments as Islington has only a handful (but plans are afoot for a few new ones!). Haringey Council estimates that it needs space for 1,500 new plots by 2016, such is the popular demand.
For more information please see: www.savefortisgreenallotments.com.
Thames Water is now owned by Australian investment bank MacQuarie, and any responsibility which Thames Water as a public utility had for societal benefit has vanished under the requirement to achieve best cash benefits to owners and shareholders - this sell-off is a clear example. (Ed)
