Planning Laws: Basements

Debate between Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Baroness Sharples

Thursday 12th March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I say to my noble friend, as I have already said, that we are already working closely with local authorities. Again, the Localism Act provided a further basis for those decisions to be made on a devolved basis, which is exactly what we are seeing.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

Is my noble friend aware that people who live near these excavations are being awoken at 5.30 in the morning by vibration from underground?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

Again, I say to my noble friend that Building Regulations prevent and can limit the time of working. When such instances occur, they should be taken up with the local authority.

Allotments

Debate between Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Baroness Sharples

Wednesday 31st October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sharples]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase the number of allotments.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

My Lords, local authorities have a duty to provide allotments. Nevertheless, the Government commend the work of those operating in the sector, such as the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, the Allotments Regeneration Initiative and the sterling work done by the National Allotment Society, in promoting the importance of allotments and the encouragement of local authorities to make more allotment land available to residents.

[Baroness Sharples]

I thank my noble friend for that Answer but is he aware that Wokingham, for example, has 80 people waiting for allotments. How many years will they have to wait? Why can encouragement not be given to people with overlarge gardens to allow them to let off areas for those who wish to growth their own produce?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

My noble friend makes a very valid point. The waiting time for allotments is of concern across the country. However, she pointed to the example of Wokingham and I am delighted to say that creative schemes are under way, such as Transition Wokingham Garden Share Scheme whereby residents use spare garden space. Anyone who is a bit green fingered is welcome to use that space to grow vegetables. This Government will encourage such schemes, and it is for local authorities to share good practice across the country.