Moreton and Leasowe residents asked to get behind allotments plan following West Kirby sucess

Dec 1 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

RESIDENTS of Moreton and Leasowe are being asked to back a plan for new allotments on an area of land currently unused.

Councillor Ian Lewis is asking all those interested in seeing allotments spring up for the first time in his ward, to sign up to a website in support of the plans.

Cllr Lewis said: “There has been a big rise in the number of people wanting to follow in the footsteps of Tom and Barbara from ‘The Good Life’.

“Sadly, due to the shortage of plots, there is a waiting list of several years in Wirral.

“The land behind the Early Years Centre and Wallasey Boxing Club is currently lying unused and could be used as allotments for local people to grow their own.”

The land was previously used as a field by a school that has since relocated.

And, after a suggestion to transform it into allotments was received, council officers will now allow other schools first refusal on the open space.

But if none are forthcoming, an Options Appraisal will be produced in the new year outlining how the land could be best used.

Cllr Lewis said: “What we won’t see is more housing or flats.

“The land is part of the flood plain and this means it cannot be developed.

“Rather than leave it lying unused, I’d like to know if residents and budding vegetable growers would like to see it become an allotment.”

If successful, the bid could follow in the footsteps of efforts made by the Gilroy Road Community Allotment Society (GRCAS) in West Kirby.

Following repeated requests for additional allotment space, GRCAS was granted a substantial plot of land to the rear of the town’s Coronation Buildings, by cabinet last Thursday.

Subject to avoiding a call-in, the new site will house 40 full-size plots after lying unused since 2002.

It was previously utilised for grazing horses, but should now boast a picnic area, communal orchard and classroom, alongside the new allotments.

Visit www.moretonleasowe.com