Weetwood residents ready to grow (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Weetwood residents ready to grow

March 2, 2010 12:00 AM

Cllr Judith Chapman (Lib Dem, Weetwood) at the Laithes in Ireland Wood

Weetwood councillors are getting their hands dirty helping to create a new set of allotments in their ward.

Diggers are now on-site clearing empty land at the Laithes in Ireland Wood. Enough space will be cleared for either six full plots or twelve half plots.

The previously derelict piece of land had been used as a dumping ground and residents in the surrounding properties were unhappy about having to look at the mess. With the help of their local councillors the land will be transformed into allotments.

Over £20,000 from the councillors' ward based initiative funding pot is being used. This will be enough to clear the site, mark out the allotments and supply water to the plot.

Cllr Judith Chapman (Lib Dem, Weetwood) said:

"Allotments have great benefits for the whole community and there is such a strong demand for them. We thought it was silly having land lying around empty and this will be an ingenious way of using the space. These will be the first allotments north of the ring road in Weetwood ward so it is very exciting and we hope these will be the first of many.

"Residents are keen to tidy up the area and to do more to help the environment, live more sustainably and of course save money by growing their own fruit and vegetables."