Keep Sevenoaks Green - Round Two

KEEP SEVENOAKS GREEN - ROUND 2

Dear Friend,

Thanks for backing our People First campaign earlier this year to 'Keep Sevenoaks Green'. Your support helped to:

- remove plans to build on Hollybush Rec from the draft Town Council sport strategy, although Conservative council leaders are trying to put them back in

- win a big majority against Town Council car parks on Quakers Hall Allotments

You'd think 90% vote by local people to safeguard the allotments was enough to persuade the Conservative leaders of Sevenoaks Town Council to talk sensibly to the allotment holders and plan their long term future. But no!

Instead they voted to cut the lease for Sevenoaks Allotments Holders Association from 50 years to just five. This means Conservative councillors will be able to come back in 2020 for a third attempt to build on them, as they did in 2004 and this year.

The land was given to the people of Sevenoaks as gardens a century ago. SAHA have made it one of the most successful allotments in Kent. They need a lease of at least 25 years to keep it safe, invest, and plan ahead. We believe that the Association - which has looked after it for a hundred years - is a far better guarantee for its future than politicians more interested in money.

The allotment holders cost Sevenoaks nothing. The Council should be proud to encourage volunteer groups like this instead of making their life harder.

We - and the gardeners - need your help to keep this land green, available to dig and enjoy for all local people. Will you please:

- let us know if you are willing to help again?

- write to the local paper and the Mayor at Sevenoaks Town Council to say so?

The overwhelming vote by Sevenoaks people couldn't have been clearer. Councillors must listen.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Clayton, Pam Walshe, Roger Walshe, Elizabeth Purves,

Merilyn Canet, Cathy Baker

Contact: tonysclayton@gmail.com