Proposed Allotments in Kells

This the first 100sqm plot we marked out.  We are going to use it as a ’show-plot’, to illustrate the how raised beds could look.

More to follow………..

Andy

Things are progressing well.  A public meeting was held last week and we have started collecting plot fees with a view to starting plots in early March.

Our latest Meath Chronicle article can be found at this link:

http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/kells/articles/2010/02/10/3994694-40-allotments-get-goahead-on-kells-land/

The deadline for completed applications is 1st March 2010.  Completed application forms with fee should sent to the Peter McNally, Secretary at 27 Stonebridge, Kells County Meath.

Forms can be either downloaded or picked up from Kells Library on Maudlin Road.

Here are a few of the key documents that relate to Kells Community Allotments Group.

Allocations Policy Final

Application Form

Plot Rental Agreement

After over a year of meetings, submissions, more meetings, more submissions,lots of calculations, recalculations and a few false dawns, Kells Allotments are now significantly closer to becoming a reality.

We are currently in negotiations with Kells Town Council who have indicated that they will allocate us an initial 2 acres of land at Lloyd on an 11 month lease.  This lease would be reviewed on an annual basis. If demand is strong (which is what we expect) a further 2 acres will be allocated in future years.

Nothing is signed yet so I do not want to tempt fate but it is very encouraging. If all goes according to plan we hope to make up to 50 plots available in early 2010.  We are currently considering quotes for public liability insurance and are in the early stages of forming a limited company without share capital.

On Saturday 28 November some of our Committee members visited South Dublin Allotments and found the visit to be extremely helpful.  Many thanks to Martin who showed us around the plots.  Hopefully we can return the favour next year.

We hope to finalise our constitution next week (thanks to the fantastic help of Angela of Kells Peoples Resource Center) and agree plot prices and sizes.  Once this is done we will hold a public meeting to update everyone and advise on the next steps.

Watch this Space.
Andy Bogie

Kells Town Council have recently put out advertisements in the local press seeking applications from people interested in starting an allotment from January 2010.

Application Forms can be downloaded from:

http://www.meath.ie/LocalAuthorities/NewsandEvents/Name,37684,en.html

Plots will be charged for 2010 as follows:

€120 for 120 sqm

€180 for 200 sqm.

Applications must be in by 4pm on Friday 17 July 2009.

Andy

Unfortunately the Town Council have advised us that the allotments will not be up and running this year and have mooted a start date of January 2010.
The Steering Committee have responded to a council report on the proposed allotments and made a number of suggestions.  We are yet to hear back from the Council as regards how many of our reccomendations have been taken on board.
The main thrust of our reccomendations is that they increase the number of plots that are to be made available  while at the same time reducing the individual plot holder rental costs costs.

I understand that the Town Council will be carrying out an advertising campaign shortly, seeking applications from interested people for the 2010 growing season.

I will give further updates when I receive them.
Andy

Over 70 expressions of interest to date.    The Steering Group held a Public Meeting earlier this month and over 40 people attended. 

Kells Town Council are Meeting on Monday 23 March 2009 and should make a final decision on the allotments then.

The Steering Committee is currently finalising a proposal to the Town Council in response to the Council Engineers Report on the potential sites. 

The Town Council are due to make their final decision on the allotments at their monthly meeting (16 February 2009).  I will provide an update later that week.

Andy

There have been over 40 expressions of interest from people who are interested in setting up allotments in Kells.  Several public meetings have been held and a Steering Committee has been established.  A number of sites have been identified in the area around Lloyd.   The Steering Committee have met with the Town Clerk and submitted proposals for an allotment site of 4-5 acres.

We are hoping to get the allotments up and running in early 2009.  Anyone interested in starting an allotment in Kells should submit an ’expression of interest’ into: the Town Clerk, Kells Town Council, Headfort Place, Kells, County Meath. The expression of interest only needs to include your name, address and something along the lines of “I wish to express an interest in taking up an allotment in Kells in 2009…”.

For more information contact:

 Andy Bogie (Chair) on: andy.bogie@gmail.com  / Mobile 086 367 4741

Niamh Mathews (Vice Chair on Mobile 086 397 3820