Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Bid for more security
Council poised for £16k investment in allotments
DUNDEE City Council is to invest £16,000 to help protect garden allotments which have been blighted by antisocial behaviour.
Security is to be improved at sites including West Law, Stirling Park and Old Craigie Road following a string of incidents including fire-raising and break-ins.
The money will be invested in new security fencing, which is to be agreed upon by councillors next week.
Kenny Watt, chairman of the Murrayfield Allotment Society, had to pick up the pieces after his £1,000 greenhouse in Longhaugh Terrace was gutted in a major blaze in October.
He believes the fire was started deliberately.
Mr Watt said: “Funding from the council, however it comes, is very welcome.
“It’s good to see that funds are being found as we as an allotment society look to further the security of the allotments and improve the facilities.”
Councillor John Alexander, convener of the council’s neighbourhood services department, said: “It is my hope that the committee will agree unanimously with this. Allotments are an important feature and are a valuable asset to the city and to those that maintain them.
“Continued investment will ensure that these sites remain secure and will reduce the level of anti-social behaviour experienced.
“This investment follows earlier investment of £29,000 in September 2015, which was broadly welcomed by plot holders and the Dundee Federation of Allotment Garden Associations.
“I hope these plans will have a positive impact and lead to the number of incidents, which have taken place at allotments across the city in recent years, decreasing.
“I am sure this proposal will receive unanimous support across the board.
“Mindless vandalism in bad for everyone and we will always work with gardeners to prevent it.
“I want to work with everyone to make sure that they can enjoy the peace of their allotments.”
Councillors will be asked to agree to the i nvestment at a meeting on November 15.