Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Allotments are safe with me, says Eric Pickles, after 18,000 sign e-petition

 

Jamie Merrill
Saturday 10 May 2014 21:46 BST
Comments
Pickles has claimed allotments are safe
Pickles has claimed allotments are safe (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eric Pickles has hit back at campaigners who have called on him to protect Britain's allotments from being sold off, calling their claims "completely untrue".

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said that alleged plans to allow local councils to sell off allotments "had no basis in fact", despite a case in Watford, Hertfordshire where the council is seizing a much-loved allotment.

Mr Pickles statement was prompted by an 18,000-signature e-petition entitled "Tell Eric Pickles that allotments must not be sold off!". The petition was created after The Independent on Sunday forced the Government into a U-turn over the review of the 1908 Smallholdings and Allotments Act, which says that councils must provide sufficient plots for residents.

Mr Pickles granted permission for building on Farm Terrace Allotments, Watford. There will be a judicial review of the decision in the summer. He wrote in response to the petition: "The claims are simply false."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in