8 February 2012 - letter from LES

I raised the question regarding permission to site sheds, and must advise that it is the decision of Land and Environmental Services that sheds, glasshouses, or other structures are not permitted on Oatlands Gate Allotments. I must therefore advise that the two sheds that have been erected on the site must be removed. However, we will continue to monitor the progress of the site with a view of perhaps relaxing this decision. Could you please ensure that all Oatlands Gate plotholders are informed of this outcome.

26 January 2012 - Letter from LES

I passed the Oatlands Gate site today and noticed that a plotholder was in the process of constructing a 4' fence and a shed on his plot. I asked who had given him permission to construct a shed and he said it was allowed and that the Council didn't bother about these things. I then advised that there were rules regarding the construction of greenhouses and other buildings contained within the Council's allotment rules ((2) 9.), and Oatlands association rules (item 2). There is also a large shed on site. To ensure that no more structures are erected without approval, could you please advise all plotholders that they must firstly put their application in writing to the committee, complete with design plan and measurements. The application should then be forwarded by the committee to me at Land and Environmental Services. LES will then give a decision on whether the application is approved. I have advised the plotholder that he will be informed in due course as to whether his shed is to remain, or be dismantled. I have asked him to remove the fence that he has started. However, not to pre-empt any LES decision, I must point out that sheds, glasshouse and high fences are not permitted on the new allotment sites recently created by Land and Environmental Services.

STV Blog

Ok, Amanda MacMillan of STV Local phoned me as i had told her about the problems at Oatlands Gates (she did a thing about our Detroit movie). She's asked me to write a "blog post" and hopefully this (below) will work. I wanted to check and see if you guys thought this was alright - lemme know if you want any changes. Also, Claire maybe you could put in a quote? Something like Claire Shearer, Secretary of Oatlands Gates says "..." And do you want to inclue the bit about Danny Alderslowe? If so, are there any other politicos who are definitely on side? (I know Philip Braat is but he's not local so maybe not useful for this).

Ok, lemme know what you think.


Don



Plotholders at the new Oatlands Gate have been told by Glasgow City Council that they are not to erect sheds on the site due to what the Council calls their "perceived negative appearance". While the Council made much of their committment to allotments and a green strategy when Oatlands Gates were officially opened, it now appears that the main concern is an aesthetic one, in particular one that sees allotment sheds as "negative" and potentially causing, in the words of the Council, a "loss to residential amenity".

Oatlands Gate are situated along the new Clyde Walkway, and someone in the Council, or possibly Bett Homes (the developers) don't want allotment sheds to spoil the view of the river. And yet, with Glasgow City Council waiting lists of up to 6 years for allotment sites, the Council recognises the demand for plots. But with nowhere to store tools, how can plotholders work the land? The Council has said that plotholders can have "storage boxes" but as these aren't large enough to store a rake, what use are they?

Plotholders at Oatland Gates have been provided with a chemical toilet - and that is all. No clubhouse or communal space to store tools. They have been presented with land to use, but no meaningful way for them to store tools, change of clothes, etc to effectively work their plots. And yet they have been expected to pay the same rent as plotholders at sister site Oatlands Leisure Gardens, who were moved by developers Bett Homes into plots with sheds already on them (albeit on a site half the size of the original).

Glasgow City Council has insisted that the two sheds already erected on the site be dismantled. At a recent meeting, plotholders unanimously agreed to fight this decision and have rallied local politicians like Green Councillor Danny Alderslowe to the cause. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

Two new plotholders and Bailie Cameron

Opening of new site delayed until July

The new site at Oatlands Gate will not open this week after all. The construction is behind schedule at the moment. July is now promised but no definite date. Let's keep our fingers crossed for good weather so that the work can get finished.

I will post again when we have an opening date.

May 2011

Paid a visit to Julian Ave and Kelvinside allotments this week. Much bigger sites than ours with about 50 plots each but fully utilised and a long waiting list. Met lots of busy and cheery plotholders and came away with lots of interesting ideas. I would love to have a pond on our plot but there is not enough room. Its maybe something we could consider a year or two down the line for the clubhouse area.

They have introduced raised beds for new gardeners rather than giving them a full plot. Some of the raised beds are on a hill which would have been difficult to work otherwise. Something we will need to consider for the new site at Oatlands Gate as the drop on the river side is very steep.

Photos of the new site uploaded onto our Facebook page this week so do check it out.