£30k purchase secures green and pleasant land

nlnews@archant.co.uk
07 July 2010

DON FISHER (left) and Nick Vosper, of the Fortis Green Reservoir Allotment Association, at the site which the group has now bought

TREASURED allotment land has been bought by the community a year after a battle began to save it from developer's bulldozers.

The Fortis Green Community Allotments Trust has clinched a deal that ensures plots off Woodside Avenue in Muswell Hill will stay green for centuries to come.

The community-led group bought the Fortis Green Reservoir Allotments from Thames Water after raising £30,000.

The utility company had planned to auction it off to developers last year with an expected sale price reaching six figures.

Don Fisher, trust chairman, said: "This is a great day. A year ago it looked almost certain that the bulldozers would be moving in on this beautiful little green space.

"Now, thanks to our fantastic local community, that threat has gone and Fortis Green people will be able to go on growing runner beans and raspberries here for ever."

The sale comes after the Save Fortis Green Allotments campaign gathered thousands of signatures on a petition to save the land, backed by celebrities such as the BBC's Kate Humble and Monty Don. Thames Water was persuaded to take the land, next to a covered reservoir, off the market and discuss a private sale to the trust after the Journal revealed its plight, which led to national media exposure. After several months' negotiation, a £30,000 price was agreed and a fundraising marathon saw a barn dance, comedy night and "promises auction" raise the cash, along with grants from Capital Growth funds and Haringey Council.

Mr Fisher added: "It's been a massive team effort and we are enormously grateful to all those who've donated money, time and ideas.

"It's wonderful to know that the site is safe - not just in the short term but for ever."

As well as running the allotments, the trust now plans to work with local schools and the community to help people learn about growing their own food.

The allotments are also a "significant habitat" for many species from birds to bats and beetles, and the trust is working with the council on an allotments bio-diversity plan.

But Mr Fisher warned nearby green land may still be at risk.

"No one should think that this spells the end of new development in this area," he said.

"We already know that someone is trying to get planning permission for houses on some land overlooking the allotments, so there's more campaigning to be done.