Working with West Moors Allotment Association
VAHA committee has been working with West Moors Allotment Association to see we could form a joint venture to try acquire land on the edge of West Moors for allotments.
We have recently heard that the land in question (adjacent to Gullivers Farm on the West Moors - Three Cross road) is now to be auctioned in the autumn. We are currently working on a business plan to put to the local authorities to see if they could support us in this venture.
East Dorset Strategy - could this be an opportunity for allotments?
As you may know East Dorset District Council are currently consulting on a strategy document. This includes a chapter on Verwood and West Moors. The need for allotments in Verwood is recognised. The proposal is for two housing developments, one adjacent to Trinity School behind the Field Place estate; the other is to the east of Emmanuel School. We have been led to believe that developers could be required to include allotments on these housing developments as part of their planning approval.
However this will only happen if we all lobby EDDC so they are aware of the need for allotments to be included.
Emmanuel site
As you will know we have received disappointing news from Dorset County Council that they do not want to lease us the site adjacent to Emmanuel School. Click here for a copy of the letter from DCC. The strategy document recently released by EDDC explains a bit more about this decision as it states the need for an upper school for Verwood which would use the site we were interested in.
We have recently met with Bob Walters, MP for North Dorset & Verwood, to discuss the situation. The outcome of this meeting will be discussed at the next Open Meeting on 9 November.
The AGM 2011
The date has been set for the AGM 2011. It will be held at 8pm on Wednesday 6 July at the Memorial Hall. All are welcome!!