Rayner declares war on allotments
As Housing Secretary, the Deputy Prime Minister has given councils 'flexibility' to sell some assets, including allotment sites, to fund day-to-day spending.
She has already personally approved the sale of eight allotment sites across England since Labour came to power. Under the Allotment Act 1925, any disposal of allotment sites requires Westminster to give the go-ahead.
Those that have already been sold include a site in Storrington, West Sussex, that will make way for 78 new homes. Residents have said the decision is 'extremely disappointing'.
Ms Rayner has also given approval for two allotments in Ashfield, Notts, and two in Bolsover, Derbyshire, to be closed.
The Telegraph previously reported that the new rules on council asset sales could lead to the disposal of school playing fields, which a Government spokesman said should only happen where 'absolutely necessary'.
But the changes allow local authorities 'to determine how best to use this flexibility', according to Jim McMahon, a housing minister, in a response to a parliamentary question from the Conservatives.
He added that the Government 'expects all decisions to demonstrate value for money and to be in the best interests of local residents'.
Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, condemned the changes and said they displayed a 'complete disdain for protecting valued green spaces'.
'Angela Rayner giving the green light for councils to sell off allotments is a kick in the teeth to local people who don't have access to their own gardens,' he said.
'On top of the Labour Government encouraging councils to sell off their playing fields, it yet again shows Labour's lazy embrace of building on parks and green spaces rather than places where homes are needed and wanted.'
Blow to Jeremy Corbyn
The news is likely to come as a blow to Jeremy Corbyn, a passionate gardener who recently established a rival Left-wing party to Labour.
A representative for the former Labour leader, who has said his favourite vegetable to grow on his North London allotment is a marrow, declined to comment on the Government's approval of sell-offs.
Councils, who the Local Government Assocation has said will face an £8bn shortfall by 2029, may be tempted to dispose of allotment space to raise money.
The local authorities are demanding the power to raise more of their own taxes, but those plans have been rejected by Rachel Reeves, who is concerned about giving up power to councils from the Treasury.
Despite Ms Rayner's department announcing that the new rules would 'extend the freedom' of councils to sell off assets, a spokesman said they had been allowed to dispose of some sites since 2016.
The spokesman said they 'should only do so where it is clearly necessary and offers value for money', adding: 'We know how important allotments are for communities, and that is why strict criteria are in place to protect them, as well as school playing fields.'
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