Allotmenteers resist council’s ‘draconian’ new rules

Bristol growers are plotting resistance against the council’s so-called ‘draconian’ changes to allotment rules.

A newly-formed group, which has grown to more than 280 members in only two days, has also called Bristol City Council ‘sneaky,’ saying it is ‘giving itself more powers than are justified.’

The group are railing against the new rules which would increase fees, promote tree removal, limit plant types, and charge for ponds.

The proposals are part of the council’s Parks and Green Spaces strategy, currently out for consultation. The final document will shape Bristol’s land use and food growing for the next 15 years.

Group members are contacting councillors and MP’s and launched a petition to object to the changes.

A meeting planned for January 4 will organise a campaign to place power back in the hands that hold the spades.

Plot holders are concerned the new rules will have a significant impact on nature.

Bristol Tree Forum (BTF) says the new rules permit only one to three fruit trees – depending on plot size – of a specific rootstock.

The proposal states that all other trees must be removed within three years, while mature trees ‘may’ be permitted subject to Tree Officer advice and Conservation constraints.

Mark Ashdown, BTF chair, said: “We are disturbed to read these proposals. They seem to suggest that trees and allotments are mutually exclusive. We agree that allotments should not be taken over by trees. However, many plots are unsuitable for growing vegetables and fruiting trees may be the only option.

“It is incorrect to suggest that nature and ecology conflict with food production. As we all know by now, trees are crucial for biodiversity, which in turn is essential for the productivity of the places where we grow food.

“These proposals also run counter to what we’re trying to achieve for trees in Bristol. We’ve repeatedly argued that it makes no sense to remove well-established trees just because they’re the wrong sort, or in the wrong place, or too tall.

“Are nearly all established trees on allotments to be removed and the habitats they support destroyed?”

Plot holders say trees of all varieties enhance natural spaces and are a vital part of allotment ecosystems, like at this allotment on Beaufort Road – photo: Rebecca Burton

Sara Venn, founder of Edible Bristol, says the proposals are in conflict with the council’s commitment to sustainability.

“I want to bash my head against a wall. These proposals do not speak to the climate and biodiversity strategies passed by full council at all,” she told Bristol24/7.

“BCC insist agroecology is key to their food growing ethos. But this document has been produced in a silo, without any consideration of other relevant strategies.

“We were one of the first cities to declare a climate emergency and we’re moving so far away from that it’s unrecognisable. The declaration is rendered meaningless.

“Felling mature trees is unthinkable. It will do unspeakable damage to whole ecosystems – the wildlife that need shelter and food, soil health, everything.”

Sara says that people, nature and food growing happily coexist in green spaces across the city.

“There is not one allotment in Bristol that would say it doesn’t care about wildlife,” she asserts.

“The council need to accept there’s a new generation of allotment holders who see the big picture and are passionate about growing food in a way that supports biodiversity as well.

“This needs to be integrated into the strategy – there’s no logic in dividing food growing and wildlife gardening. It’s just absurd.”

For many it is the council’s process that has caused the greatest alarm.

“They’re coming at this with a top-down, authoritarian mentality,” Sara says. “They fail to acknowledge allotments are communities.

“There are so many people in Bristol who care passionately about their allotments and food growing, and would be more than happy to have those conversations. In fact I suspect there are people that have been trying to do just that for many years.

“But the council’s authoritarian approach has inflamed the whole of Bristol’s allotment population.”

As well as food growing, growers say allotments provide spaces to unwind and connect with nature. The Farm allotment near Troopers Hill is a haven for toads, slow worms, newts, birds and lots of other wildlife – photo: Ursula Billington

Councillor Ellie King said: “If we don’t rise the rents, we will continue to be in a state of managing decline of the service – slow response times to issues, neglected plots not brought back into action, insufficient resource for maintenance etc.

“I want the service to be something we can be proud of, and to do that and address the waiting list we need to uplift the rent.

“We’re also investing in community food growing projects as another great way to get involved in food growing in local areas.”

The council has been contacted for comment on the proposals’ impacts on wildlife.

Sign the campaign petition here: www.change.org/p/objections-to-bristol-city-council-s-changes-to-allotment-rules-and-rent

Join the meeting at 7pm on January 4 at St Werburgh’s Community Centre to learn more and have your say.

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

Main photo: Hannah Fox

Read next:

• Alarm as allotment costs could more than double
• Bristol most difficult city to get an allotment in UK
• Police called to standoff at proposed allotment site again

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