Protest begins against allotments

RESIDENTS near Killeaton Playing Fields are to meet with the Corporate Services Committee next week to protest against Lisburn Council’s proposals to put 39 allotments in the playing fields.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jun 2011, 00:09 BST

The group ‘Killeaton Field Save Open Spaces’ held a public meeting attended by 120 people last month to protest against the proposal.

The chairman of the group said they already had the support of some councillors as well as a petition with 500 signatures.

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He said residents are not against allotments as they are aware that there is a need for them in the area, but they feel it is not the right site.

“There was never a consultation with the residents about this,” he said. “They never received letters and when people heard what the council’s plans were, we received massive objection.

“Residents should have been consulted as it is open space. It is used by the community for picnics, has been used for the 12th celebrations, people walk their dog on it, people practise golf on it, children play on it. It is used by the vast majority of the community and we do not want to lose it.

“We are not against allotments but this proposal would take away valuable space that is needed by the community in the Killeaton, Faireview, Cutts, Queensway and Rose Garden area,” he said.

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He also said many people feared sheds and fences at the allotments would be unsightly and give the impressiion of a ‘shanty town’ which would take away the visual beauty of the area and decrease the value of nearby housing.

A spokesperson for the council said: “In March 2011 the Corporate Services Committee of the Council considered a proposal for up to 39 additional allotments to be provided within an informal open space at Killeaton, Derriaghy.

“The proposal followed requests that additional allotments be made available for residents of the City and to reduce the allotment waiting list. Currently there are over 100 applicants within the Lisburn area awaiting a Council allotment on which they can grow their own produce.

“On the 14th June 2011 a delegation from the ’Killeaton Field Save Open Spaces’ Group will deliver a presentation on their concerns regarding the proposed new allotments to the Council’s Corporate Services Committee.”

Related topics:ResidentsCouncil