Dorset Council are delighted to announce that allotments on land next to Pinemoor Close in Weymouth are almost ready for public use.
When the builders went bust, Dorset Council received money from the liquidator which was used to set up the allotment and maintain it for some time.
We have cleared the allotments under the direction of our Senior Ecologist, who also recommended that the open space was left as is but can also advise on a gradual works should there be a need to ‘tidy up’.
The team discussed matters with residents in the immediate area and there was a preference to keep the trees at the access and maintain wildlife corridors for the benefit of wildlife.
There were no sign of badgers or reptiles, which aided clearance efforts. Dorset Council officers have also left the far end of the site as a mix of rough grassland and scrub as this is an area of high wildlife interest.
Dorset Council have liaised with Weymouth Town Council on the ownership and maintenance of the site. It was agreed at Cabinet on 6 April that ownership of the site will be transferred to Weymouth Town Council.
Cllr Tony Ferrari, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, is responsible for Dorset Council’s land, including this site. He is also Ward Councillor for Littlemoor and Preston, and commented “It will be fantastic to bring this abandoned piece of land into such a positive use. Weymouth has no allotments on the East side of town so this will be a valuable local facility.”
Allotments are allocated on a first come first served basis and once the legal process is complete the Town Council will oversee allocation of the 7 allotments.
Graham Winter, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council, said:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Dorset Council to get these allotments ready for public use. We know allotments are beneficial for people’s wellbeing and they also contribute to the biodiversity of the area, so it’s a truly positive project for the community”
We live at number 6 Pinemoor Close and have no objection to the allotments providing there is ample parking within the allotments area as being a small cul-de-sac parking is limited for residents . Also an area furthest away from our houses for small amounts of manure so we are not inhaling foul smells and being bitten by dung flies during hot weather , better still allow only bagged compost to be used.hmm
Please can you put me down for one of the allotments.
These will be determined by Weymouth Town Council so please get in touch if/when the allotments have been taken on by them.
Correction to the article above.
The builder of Pinemoor Close did not go bust, it was the builder of Southdown farm, a later development.
As part of the planning approval for the development at Southdown Farm, it was agreed residents would be granted allotments.
Why then, given that this was a specific requirement for planning to go ahead at Southdown does the council now need to publicly consult? It’s currently a breach of the existing planning if it does not go ahead, surely?
Is it necessary to live in Weymouth in order to have an allotment?
Hi Chris – Weymouth Town Council will be responsible for allocating the allotments, so if/when they have given final approval it would probably be best to contact them to ask – James