Recently, Angela Rayner made waves by allowing hard-pressed councils to cash in on allotments to help manage their budgets.
As the Housing Secretary, she describes this action as giving councils much-needed ‘flexibility’ to sell off various assets including allotments to aid in daily expenditures.
So far, she’s already okayed the sale of eight allotment plots across England since Labour took office. According to the Allotment Act of 1925, such sales need approval from Westminster.
Some of the sold plots include a location in Storrington, West Sussex, which is set to be replaced by 78 new homes, a decision that locals have expressed deep disappointment over.
In addition to this, Ms. Rayner also approved the closing of two allotments in Ashfield, Nottingham, and two in Bolsover, Derbyshire.
The Telegraph reported that these new directives could potentially lead to councils selling off school playing fields, although a Government spokesperson mentioned such actions should only happen if it’s ‘absolutely necessary’.
However, this approach lets local authorities decide how best to utilize their available ‘flexibility’, as stated by Jim McMahon, a housing minister, in response to a question from opposition parties.
McMahon further indicated that the Government expects these decisions to provide value for taxpayers and align with the best interests of the community.
Criticism has come from various quarters, including Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, who called the changes a blatant disregard for the conservation of treasured green areas.
“Angela Rayner’s green light for selling off allotments is a slap in the face for residents without their own garden spaces,” he reacted.
He also noted that with Labour encouraging councils to offload playing fields, it reflects a troubling reliance on encroaching upon parks and green spaces for new housing developments instead of utilizing more suitable locations.
Impact on Jeremy Corbyn
This latest development may also hit hard for Jeremy Corbyn, known for his passion for gardening and for having set up a competing Left-leaning party against Labour.
A representative for the ex-Labour leader, who fondly mentions marrows from his North London allotment, opted not to comment on the recent decisions to sell off communal land.
Facing a staggering £8 billion shortfall by 2029, councils may find selling off allotment plots to be a tempting solution for securing funds.
Local government representatives are pushing for the ability to raise their own tax revenues, but such proposals have faced rejection from Rachel Reeves, concerned about relinquishing Treasury control to councils.
Despite Ms. Rayner’s reassurance that the new regulations would ‘expand freedom’ for councils to dispose of assets, a spokesman noted such practices have been permissible since 2016.
They highlighted the importance of allotments to communities and insisted any decisions on selling should only occur when deemed necessary and offering value for resources, while also emphasizing the strict regulations surrounding the process aimed at protecting allotments and school fields.
