Chris Mole is called for a rethink of proposals to build housing on the London Road allotments site.

After visiting the site and meeting with allotment holders Chris said:

"The Tories and Liberals running Ipswich Borough Council have proposed to build new houses on one of the fields at the London Road allotments site. I think this is short sighted as in a sustainable community; people  should have access to plots where they can grow their own vegetables and other plants. Allotments offer good opporunities for healthy living and exercise for people of all ages.

Whilst I am keen to see more homes built in Ipswich, the Local Development Framework needs to ensure that we develop sustainable communities within the town, and we should not just infill every available bit of land. I am all for making the most of opportunity sites, but allotments should be amongst the last sites considered.

The London Road allotments may look under used, but I am persuaded this has been due to poor marketing, and the evidence is clear that more and more sites are now being taken up."

(*Chris at the site of the London Road Allotments, with allotment holders)