General Discussion

I know it's probably been discussed but I've just joined the forum. I put my name down for an allotment the other day to be told not to bother as the waiting list if over 100 and likely to take years to get to me.

I put my name down anyway...

I've also written to Teignbridge to ask what they're doing abou it. Are there others on this forum who are on the list and have they written too. Surely if we put pressure on the council they'll do something about it.

Does anyone know if anything is being done?

Thanks

8.2 of the Dawlish Neighbourhood plan mentions allotments, no idea on timeframes or position though.

Thanks Flo. Just had a look. Bit vague though, isn't it - on the allotments side.

I signed up on the River Cottage Land share scheme and had a offer within 6 weeks i now have a great veg garden in return for cutting the owners grass once a month try it you may just be lucky

Hi leatash

I did already - no offers I'm afraid. :(

Would prefer an allotment though - would always feel like I was intruding in someone's garden - have visions of myself sitting on my allotment, flask of tea, paper etc...

Thanks tho' :)

Response from Teignbridge:

"Thank you for your email.

We have been in contact with our Economic and Regeneration department and we no longer have the responsibility for allotments.

It is through the town councils.

I have forwarded on your comment form onto dawlish town council.

Kind Regards

Customer Excellence Team

Teignbridge District Council Forde House

Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 4XX

DX121075 Newton Abbot 5

Phone: 01626 361101

Fax: 01626 215169"

It took the Town Council years to actually get the allotments that they have!

Trouble is now that any available land seems to be grabbed very quickly for development but if enough people put on enough pressure the Council has to look into getting more.

This strikes me as a cause that Dare or Dads should be getting behind.

Dare or Dads? Sorry, new(ish) to the area. Been living overseas for years.

With over 100 on the list, that'd be a hefty amount to pressureise?

Phillipa - on Eyes of Dawlish Howard Almond has mentioned that there is going to be an all day (10 till 4) walk-in session at the The Manor on Saturday 1st October, where you can look at the Neighbourhood Plan for Dawlish, discuss the plan with councillors, and give your feedback.

Perhaps this would be an opportunity to find out more about the proposed allotments or what their current policy is?

OMG! jus lucked up DADS on da google n itsanuva 'dawlish against' bunch a moanin old cogers! stik 2 nittin n let da lish get betta insted a moanin all da time. realy!

Sorry Philippa, I forget that not everyone is familiar with the campaigning citizens of Dawlish.

Dare - originally Dawlish Against Ruining Everything, had a tendancy to be just a 'no to everything' group however have re-invented themselves lately to become more environmentally focused and have done some great work in raising awareness in erosion problems at the Warren. Allotments should be part of their ethos...

Dads - Dawlish Against Developing Sandy Lane, again another 'no' group but with a more specific focus, maybe too narrow a focus but might be worth contacting.

Both groups, I believe, have websites.

Another person to contact could be Cllr Graham Price, a Town and District Councillor who is/was (not sure current status) an allotment holder who had to wait years like all other allotment holders, he may be sympathetic to your cause.

Good luck with this, it's not something I particularly would want but think it's brilliant that many do.

DADS was most definitely against the playing fields at Sandy Lane being turned into a housing developement/site of a supermarket. And what was/is wrong with being against that?

I suspect most of Dawlish didn't/don't want those playing fields built on - including lots of youngsters. It's where lots of football games get played. Why should those playing fields get lost to concrete?

As it happens it now seems that the powers that be also agree that these playing fields should be left alone as I see that in the draft Dawlish plan on page 6 at 4.4. is says that "This area will be protected from residential use and other developement, for the benefit of the Dawlish community".

Good.

(P.S DADS website no longer in operation)

Lynne, pardon me for expressing an opinion - fancy doing that on a discussion forum...

Dawlish seems abundant with many residents who just say no to everything, DADS always seemed to be that way to me. Interesting that their website no longer operates, perhaps DADS weren't that well supported?

At one stage I wasn't that impressed with DARE either but they have re-invented themselves and have gained credibility by doing so.

Dawlish attracts people who have visited for years and years, love it because it never changes then they retire here and do their damnedest to ensure it never changes!

Any town has to change, it has to move with the times, it has to provide facilities and opportunities or it will just become a dormitory town.

So whats wrong with getting a bit hacked off with the 'no to everything' groups that seem to guarantee that Dawlish stagnates whilst they indulge in Nimbyism?

As you say Duckileaks this is a discussion forum. Hence we are all entitled to air our opinions. However, if I was having a 'pop' at anyone re comments about DADS it was Rainbow1.

DADS website can always be revived. As for DADS lacking support - you are joking aren't you? Don't you remember how many people in Dawlish were up in arms when Tesco came out with their plans a few years back to build on the playing fields.

DADS still exists. Just gone dormant for a while that's all. Any further threat to the those playing fields and it will wake up again. All it needs now though to contact its many supporters is one press of the 'send' button.

But as I said, this hopefully shouldn't be the case as it is now part of the Dawlish plan that the fields should be kept for sporting activities only and most definitely should not be built on.

Thanks everyone for their advice. I'll pop along to the manor on Saturday and see if I can get some answers.

Stay friendly people... :)

Sorry, Lynne I completely missed Rainbow1's posting and assumed your reply was directed at me.

Apologies if I came across as less than polite to you - I think I did, typed before thinking!

I cannot abide Rainbow1's pathetic posting style and I tend not to see it, my brain has activated a Rainbow1 filter - I think I may allow it to be switched on for a little longer.

Right...got the Allotment Association on board.. Operation get Dawlish more allotments has begun. :)