Gardener 'baffled' by Newbury allotment refusal

Though several are available at the Wash Common site, Simon Kirby has been turned down without an explanation.
Mr Kirby, previously an allotmenteer for 15 years, had a long running battle with the town council over the issue of allotment self-management and his tenancy agreement, which ended four years ago when he was evcited by the council.
Mr Kirby, a Kennet and Avon Canal construction supervisor, said this week: “I was looking forward to being self-sufficient with a full range of veg from my allotment, but the council has rejected me.
“Worse still, no-one will tell me why. I filled in all the necessary forms and said that I’d be happy to pay the £80.00 annual fee. I looked forward to getting to work, but I’ve lost the plot, you might say.
“I’m really surprised, as I live near the site, and know that there is lots of plots available, and advertisements have appeared in the media looking for people to take them.”
While on his previous plot, he came second in a national shed competition, and won prizes for his giant marrows.
He added: “I’m very much hoping the council are not holding anything against me over a dispute I had with them when I left this allotment four years ago, which has long been resolved.
“I was there from 1995 to 2010, and I’m keen to getting back to grow my potatoes, leeks, marrows, onions, carrots and sweetcorn.
“I can’t wait to get back there, which is why I’m hoping the council will tell me soon why I’m being refused so that if there is a problem I can talk to them about it.
Council leader Julian Swift-Hook declined to say why Mr Kirby had been turned down.
He would only say: “The town council considered Mr. Kirby’s application for a ten-pole allotment at the Wash Common site at its Community Services Committee [meeting] on September 29, 2014, in line with existing rules and policies regarding allotments.
“After careful consideration it was resolved that the town council is unable to offer an allotment to Mr Kirby at this time.”
Councillor Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera (Lib-Dem), the council’s former deputy leader, said: “Mr. Kirby has every right to be told why Newbury Town Council has refused his application for an allotment.
“Council officers and members should not treat the public this way.
“Councillors should remember that they’ve been elected, and are meant to serve the people who elected them.
“I support Mr. Kirby and every other member of the public who would like to see a truly open and transparent town council.”