Covid-19: Antrim and Newtownabbey allotments to reopen

Antrim and Newtownabbey council has announced the reopening of the borough’s allotments.
Allotments. Archive pic.Allotments. Archive pic.
Allotments. Archive pic.

They will accessible from Monday, May 4, on a “phased basis”.

Allotment holders will be able to book two hour slots between 8.00am and 8.00pm.

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It is anticipated the “phasing period” will last until Friday, May 8, when the allotments will open as normal.

To ensure the safety of council staff and other gardeners, users are asked to comply with social distancing.

The closure of 160 council-owned plots at Rathfern, New Mossley and Ballyearl in Newtownabbey and Greystone in Antrim on March 30 by the borough council in response to the coronavirus crisis caused anger among plot holders.

The local authority said the decision had been taken “to encourage social distancing”.

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Allotment holders will be offered a refund for the period during which these facilities have been unavailable or an extension on their lease.

The council also said it would carry out watering at these facilities whilst they remain closed.

However, one woman said that the closure was “totally ludicrous” and suggested that people were “in closer contact at local shops”.

Commenting on social media, she said: “Totally ludicrous our plots are massive we don’t go onto anyone’s bar our own – we have our own tools.”

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Another said: “This is absolute madness, you get closer to people in shops and out walking. Allotments are quite a distance apart.

People use it as their form of exercise and importantly to grow and eat their own organic fruit and veg.”

“You can’t get more social distance than an allotment.”

One gardener threatened to withhold her allotment rent in response to the closure and urged others to do the same.

“What is the point of paying for ground you can only look at through a fence.

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“No food grown when we could really use it this summer and twice the work when it is left to weed and seed itself.”

One man said: “The allotments are in a locked secure space and it is the only exercise for many people. It is a healthy pursuit and we are producing food, keeping us away from shops to some degree.”

It was also pointed out that Rathfern allotments are “well spaced”.

There were also complaints over lack of notice and wasted money spent on seeds, plants, soil and compost.

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A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has explained:  “A number of council facilities including allotments have been closed in accordance with the direction from government which requires people to ‘stay at home’.

“Council officers are contacting all allotment holders regarding a refund for the period during which these facilities are unavailable or alternatively offering an extension on their lease.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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