YOUR report in last week s Crow may, inadvertently, have given some concern to existing allotment holders and people on the waiting list for allotment plots. The benefits of having an allotment; healthy fresh air and exercise, growing vegetables without l

YOUR report in last week's Crow may, inadvertently, have given some concern to existing allotment holders and people on the waiting list for allotment plots.

The benefits of having an allotment; healthy fresh air and exercise, growing vegetables without large quantities of pesticides, and reducing "food miles" are becoming very well known, not just in Royston but throughout the country.

In Royston, an increased population and ever smaller gardens have put great pressure on the current site resulting in the long waiting list.

The Royston Allotments and Gardens Association has been asking Royston Town Council to provide ADDITIONAL land for allotments and several possible sites were identified.

The existing site is full, with 90 plotholders, and there are a further 45 or so on the waiting list.

It was this request that was being discussed by the premises committee.

Readers should be assured that the town council fully supports the idea of allotment gardens, is proud of the site in Royston (one of the best in the area) and intends to look for land to provide further allotments to meet the demand.

The town council, obviously, has a duty to look at all options but, as you correctly say, Statutory Allotment land can only be used for other purposes with the consent of the Secretary of State and before he gives consent he must be satisfied that the site is under-used. Royston allotments are most certainly not under-used.

The town council is legally obliged to consider providing allotments if just six people apply and there is every reason to believe that the town council will carry out its legal obligations.

ROYSTON ALLOTMENTS & GARDENS ASSOCIATION

- Editor's comment: The town council's premises committee did last week make it absolutely clear that it would "research" the situation about an alternative allotment site and report to a meeting of the finance committee.