Allotment havens like these are part of families' history

My dad had an allotment on this site when I was a child.

I have many happy memories of enjoying the fresh air, helping my dad and learning about where our food came from.

When, in later years, my dad said he had another allotment on this site, his delight was obvious.

I knew he had happy memories of our time spent together on the allotment, too, when I found my little orange watering can (now over 30 years old) hanging in his shed.

Havens such as these allotments are part of the family history of many living in the local area.

My dad and his partner, both pensioners, have worked hard on their allotment.

Now it's under threat, words cannot describe the abject disappointment I feel for them facing the prospect of seeing their precious crops dug up to make way for this building.

They have invested a good deal of money preparing their soil.

Does the council intend to compensate them for this? It seems to me the time, money and effort they have put in means nothing to those who would consider such a proposal.

Suggesting they relocate to an adjacent site is beyond belief.

These allotments are a quiet haven in which the allotment holders can enjoy the tranquillity of the space around them.

To have a health centre overlooking them and the traffic that would create, too, would negate this.

I truly hope the council does not go ahead with this, for the sake of all those who treasure their times at their allotments.

Angela MacAskill

Norfolk Road

Littlehampton

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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