Chadwell Allotments - Success!

I have just received a response, regarding the Chadwell allotments Arson attacks:

"I have visited the site today with my Parks Development Manager and spoken to a number of plot holders on the site. I have inspected the damage to the tenants fence and I can say that the fence in question is in a fairly dilapidated condition however it is accepted that the damage caused to the three wooden panels was due to the alleged arson attack on the wooden shed. I am therefore arranging for the three wooden panels and posts to be replaced.

I am planning to upgrade these from a trelless fence to a 1.8m wooden panel fence. The council cannot accept any further responsibility for the tenant's fence and no further repairs will be undertaken to the fence in question as it belongs to the tenant and it is up to them to secure their own property.It is not for the council to put fencing up to protect the properties of others. If the yobs who are carrying out these acts are gaining access via a residents house or front garden, then it is the residents responsibility to protect their own property. I have to be very careful on this matter, otherwise I could set a precedent across the whole borough.

I have also inspected the palisade fencing along the boundary of the allotments leading from Park Villas and can confirm the fencing is in tact with no missing panels or gaps that are a concern to us. I believe our responsibility regarding the fencing has been fully met and the tenant will need to make their own repairs/arrangements regarding repairs to stop youths accessing their front garden.They could do this by locking their front gate or improving the quality of the fencing. Our Allotments Officer has offered to make some temporary repairs to the fencing, but was refused permission by the resident when he enquired.

The natural dense hedgerow along the entrance to the site is made up of various species and is of a high nature conservation value to wildlife and biodiversity. To reduce this hedge to the suggested height would have an adverse effect on the site and the environment therefore I wouldn't at this stage look at taking any drastic action to the hedge. What I intend to do in the near future is meet with the allotment holders at Chadwell Heath to discuss their concerns and any issues they may have with the site and how we can best address them. I spoke with a few of them today and although they would not mind it being tidied up, they would not want more than 2ft cut off the top and this would not improve security or lines of vision from the outside.

I have had our Senior Nature Conservation Ranger inspect the hedges and he agrees with this approach. He advises that the council has a duty to protect and enhance biodiversity in the borough under the NERC Act 2006 section 40, and hedgerows provide valuable habitat for wildlife and are used by two species under the Redbridge Biodiversity Action Plan (house sparrows and bats). Allotments are included in the Redbridge Biodiversity Action Plan as a key habitat. Actions relating to removal of habitat on allotments, does contradict council policy on retaining and enhancing areas of ecological value within allotments. Under the nature conservation supplementary planning document, the retention of hedgerows and areas of green space is encouraged. In addition, heavy pruning of hedgerows could disturb nesting birds, which is a criminal offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1984. Officers will meet with some of the plot holders again and discuss the hedgerow, but it is not as simple as saying cut it back or down. The earliest work could be done on it would October, due to the nesting and breeding season.

Plot holders feel that the arsonists maybe gaining access by simply climbing over the gates at the main entrance, which we think is the way that they are gaining access, so we will look at raising the height of the front gates. There are 2 small gaps in the hedgerow, but it unlikely that an arsonist would use these points of access, as it would take time and would cause injury due to the thorns and brambles. This view was shared by the plot holders.

It must be stressed that we share the concerns of the plot holders regarding the vandalism at the site but this is a criminal offence and the police have been informed and are investigating the incidents. We will continue to work with the police and all interested parties to try and combat these crimes. My officers have asked for additional support in terms of a more visible presence from Community Support Officers in the area and clearly the border between Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge on the access path alongside Park Villas is used heavily for drinking and anti social behaviour and this was evidence today by the volume of empty beer cans and broken glass.

Officers will instruct our contractor to repair the fencing panels damaged by the fire, but in our opinion the rest of the fencing is acceptable for this type of facility. The council has other sites, which are protected by 2m palisade fencing, but I have seen young people simply climb over in a matter of seconds regardless of the risk of serious injury. I would advise the resident in Park Villas to look at their perimeter fence, as it is dilapidated but it is not the council to replace it, although as I have said we have offered to repair it to try and prevent access to allotments.

I will ensure that my Officers continue to work with yourself and the Police to try and prevent this type of activities. I would stress that arson is a serious criminal offence and plot holders agreed that they would work with council officers to report and prevent, but it was for the Police to try and catch these individuals. I will continue to speak to Mrs Storey at Park Villas, who is the daughter of the couple who live there and hope that she is satisfied with our gesture to replace those panels damaged in the arson attack."

This is positive news as the measures provided will provide some additional security and We are ware the Police and the ASBO Team are working on other crime prevention schemes. They are also going to look into potential lighting for the front gate area and cutting back some of the hedgerows around the gate area to make it more visible.