Action Briefing Feb 2003 - Mar 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Billesley Lane Disappointment

Billesley Lane Allotments recently received the disappointing news that the Public Enquiry has gone against them and that the Golf Course can extend onto the allotments. The beautiful and wildlife-rich allotments at Billesley Lane are unfortunately under the ownership of Moseley Golf Club, though we are told the land was being used for community gardening before the Golf Course was in existence.

When the lease ended a year ago and the Golf Club announced their intention to build a practice green on the allotment land, the City Council backed the allotments by putting in an application for a compulsory purchase order (CPO), which then went to Public Enquiry. The Allotments Association and the Council put a lot into the enquiry but the CPO was turned down. They have been offered an extended period in which to consider the Golf Club’s offer of a “compromise” which involves destroying about two thirds of the allotment area after 2005, with the remaining one third given a 14 year lease.

The allotments association are meeting on Sunday 23rd February to decide whether to accept the ‘compromise offer’ or not. We’ll keep you informed of future developments.

Karen Leach