BARNET ALLOTMENTS

Early day motion 426, tabled 28 June 2005 by Andrew Dismore (Labour). Signed by 16 members.

That this House expresses its extreme concern at the approach by Conservative-controlled London Borough of Barnet towards its allotment holders; believes that the cutting off of water and proposed destruction of greenhouses, sheds and fences amounts to little more than rogue landlordism; deplores the refusal of the council sensibly to negotiate with the plot holders, many of whom are elderly and have held their plots for over 30 years; believes the council's enforcement approach disproportionately affects plot holders of Mediterranean origin and amounts to indirect racial discrimination; expresses its concern at the heavy-handed dictatorial way Barnet Council has approached the issue; and calls on the council to desist from any further enforcement action until discussions have taken place with the plot holders involving a sufficiently senior member of the council to understand commonsense, including the need for water, greenhouses, fences and netting on allotments.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Liberal Democrat 2, DUP 1.