Government responds to Watford Allotment holders High Court victory

Stephen Williams, Communities Minister, has responded to the Save Farm Terrace victory in the High Court this morning. “This scheme has been supported by the local Council, the local MP, Richard Harrington, and Watford’s elected Mayor, and would deliver new NHS hospital facilities, significant regeneration, as well as replacement allotments. “The Department took the decision based on the evidence provided by the Council at the time. The High Court has rejected the legal challenges, apart from one narrow point of law on the Council not updating the Department on a potential change to the regeneration plans. There is no suggestion that this was the fault of the Department. It is now up to the Council whether they wish to put forward the application for reconsideration. “This Government actively supports allotments and food growing. Since 2010, where this Government has consented to the disposal of allotments, alternative plots have been provided, and the total amount of allotment provision has actually increased as a result. Surveys by the National Allotment Society show that over 2,000 new allotment places have been created in last few years, and allotment waiting times have fallen.”