We smell a storm brewing in Ventnor and it’s not the wind and rain kind that we’re talking about.
For many years now, members of the Ventnor Town Council have been working hard to secure an appropriate place for community allotments in Ventnor.
As anyone who is familiar with the town knows, when the developers of the 1860s took over the sleepy bay, they weren’t particularly bothered about giving properties large gardens. The nature of the steep hills have a big part to play in that and many properties in Ventnor only accommodate small terraces, making it difficult for those who wish to ‘grow their own’ to do so.
There has been a very long waiting list for allotments for many years and the Town Council are legally required to provide allotments if enough residents request them.
Background on proposed allotments
Many different locations have been investigated and ruled out over the years and on 10th November last year, the subject was raised again at the Ventnor Town Council meeting, whereby a possible spot on the Eastern Cliffs (below Buona Vista Road) was discussed.
We should point out that whenever allotments have been discussed at the meetings, all councillors have shown sympathy to the need of allotments and praised the work that had been put in by John Farrant, Rob Mew and Brian Lucas in seeking out suitable locations.
Motion to abandon proposal refused
In relation to the Eastern Cliffs location, at the meeting on the 10th November, Cllr Milford voiced his opposition to this area of green space being used for allotments.
He put forward a motion to abandon the proposal to use this space. His argument being that with the children’s playground planned for next to the Winter Gardens, Ventnor would be losing another green space that should be retained for use by residents and visitors.
Cllr Robinson seconded the proposal, but the vote went against them and the motion to abandon the proposal was refused.
This is where it starts to get tricky.
Correct Procedure Not Followed
Once the discussion had moved onto the next agenda item, the subject was discussed no further at that meeting.
Given comments by one councillor at a later meeting that the TC should try to buy land from the National Trust (at the back of St Boniface School) for allotments, we were led to believe that many councillors didn’t realise that the proposal to use the Eastern Cliff was still going ahead.
What should have happened after Cllr Milford’s proposal was refused would have been for someone else to propose that the land be used and this motion be voted on.
That didn’t happen.
In addition, we understand that the IW Council had agreed to let the TC have this land on the condition that the public were consulted, Town Councillors voted on it and that everyone was happy.
Whoops.
Residents Not Happy
Neither of these things had happened, so you can imagine the surprise when residents of Buona Vista Road discovered preliminary work taking place on the Eastern Cliffs.
We understand that residents contacted Chris Welsford, their town councillor and he has since requested that work stop on the site, the public be consulted and the issue discussed at the next town council meeting on the 9th March.
We’ll be at that meeeing and anyone who wishes to ask a question of the Town Council can take advantage of the 15 minutes priot to the meeting where the public can ask questions.
If you’re not sure where Buona Vista Road is check it out on Google Maps
The subject of allotments has been discussed several times on the VB Discussion Forum, the most recent being in relation to the forthcoming TC meeting.
Image: Mugger
