§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 5 May [WA 56], whether they will reconsider their current policy relating to allotment land closure procedures to include the proposed new use as a factor in all cases, in particular where land is designated as a future building project. [HL1932]
§ Baroness HaymanUnder Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925, the Secretary of State's consent is required before an authority can dispose of statutory allotment land. The Secretary of State has the discretion to take the proposed new land use into account when considering applications for disposal, and will do so if this is relevant to the issue of whether the land should cease to be allocated as allotment land. Proposed development of former allotment land would constitute a "change of use" in planning terms, which would require planning permission.