The Darenth Country Park QED Project

Model Allotment Site: Planning Document #1

QED Allotments Group

February 24, 1998

Introduction

This document describes the QED Allotments Group's proposal for a model allotment site at Darenth Country Park, as agreed at a meeting of the Group held on Monday February 23, 1998. The Group confined its attention to a parcel of land of approximately one acre in size lying to the north of the eastern cemetery within the Country Park. This parcel is bounded on three sides by high hedges, and by a broken line of mature trees to the east. Some parts of the proposal are incomplete, in that they depend upon developments in other parts of the Country Park, both within and beyond the area provisionally identified as the site for the QED Project. The proposal identifies what in our view needs to be done, and by whom it could be done. It makes no assumptions about the availability of resources, nor about the time-scale involved, although the sections do follow an obvious chronological order. In drafting the proposal, however, the Group has been mindful of the themes which have been adopted for the Country Park as a whole (traditional land management practices, access for all), the objectives of Local Agenda 21, and the need for the widest possible community involvement at all stages of design and development. This proposal is offered as the basis for discussion within and between the QED issue groups, the partners in the Darenth Country Park, and any other individuals or groups who may be interested. Comments for consideration by the QED Allotments Group should be addressed to Richard Wiltshire (10 King Edward Avenue, Dartford DA1 2HZ. Tel: 409184. E-Mail: rw3@soas.ac.uk). The Group will meet again on March 30, 1998 to consider responses to this proposal and further refinements.

1: Site Survey

a) Engineering survey

Undertake detailed site mapping including:

Boundaries of the site	See Proposal Map below. Eastern boundary to be identified by QED Allotments Group on site visit (3/98)
Ground contours and levels	Necessity for this information to be discussed with QED Health Group and local horticultural therapy groups (issue is access for physically disabled)
Vehicular and pedestrian access	To be identified by QED Allotments Group on site visit (3/98)
Pollution	Groundwork/DBC to investigate integrity of sewer pipe below the site and check for any hazardous wastes on site
Structures and foundations on the site	To be identified by QED Allotments Group on site visit (3/98)
Extent of unwanted rubbish	To be identified by QED Allotments Group on site visit (3/98)

Summary: all items other than levelling and pollution could be resolved in one site visit by QED Allotments Group. If proper levelling is required, this could be an opportunity for participation by local technical college students. Levelling will be easier to undertake after preliminary site clearance (see below).

Determine existence and locations of:

Sewer pipes	Consult Groundwork/DBC
Gas and water mains	Consult Groundwork/DBC
Power and telephone cables	Consult Groundwork/DBC

Summary: A sewer pipe is known to underlie the site. Its depth below ground needs to be determined in advance of any mechanical activity. There are old water pipes on site, but this proposal assumes they will be removed and replaced, to ensure adherence to modern safety requirements.

b) Environmental survey

Inventory of the existing flora and fauna on the site, and subsequent proposals in consultation with QED Allotments Group, and in the context of provision elsewhere in Darenth Country Park, regarding:

Which trees and shrubs should be retained

(a) For biodiversity value	QED Biodiversity Group
(b) For permaculture value	QED Allotments Group (Research Officer)
(c) For landscaping/security value	QED Allotments Group
Which trees, shrubs and vegetation are to be removed	(Defined by above)
Animal and bird occupancy	QED Biodiversity Group
Preservation of wildlife habitat	QED Biodiversity Group
Proposals for enhancement of wildlife habitat	QED Biodiversity Group

Summary: The environmental survey, which should be completed before clearance work begins, presents an ideal opportunity for the QED Biodiversity Group to begin its contribution to QED's first major project. The membership of this group includes organisations which have been involved in nature conservation work within the Country Park site for many years.

c) Land use plan

<<<<< Proposal Map

Preface: The Proposal Map above shows the Group's initial proposal for the layout of the site. The layout follows traditional allotment design principles ("ten rod plots"), as the basis for a simple design and for ease of defining tenancies. The proposal is conditional, however, on the results of the environmental survey (there is a sweet chestnut in the middle of the site, for example, which may be worth retaining for its value to any permaculture scheme), and the inherent monotony of the traditional layout will be tempered by sub-divisions, detailed landscaping work, and the encouragement of group cultivation as practised in "community gardens".

Compile maps of the site showing proposals for:

Paths and plots	Completed in outline: See Proposal Map
Water points	Completed in outline: See Proposal Map
Positions for sheds and fixtures	Conditional on off-site provision: secure storage may be shared with other participants elsewhere in the QED Project area, such as the bee-keepers
Raised beds	QED Allotments/Health Groups (initial proposal is to use Plot 1 or eastern ends of Plots 10/12, given ease of access)
Access to the site	Conditional on off-site provision
Hard standing for deliveries	Conditional on off-site provision
Delivery bays for bulk manures	Conditional on off-site provision, and temporary (pending supplies from the community composting scheme)
Parking for users (especially disabled users)	Conditional on off-site provision
Existing and proposed biodiversity, landscaping and security vegetation	QED Allotments/Biodiversity Groups
Boundary hedges and fences	QED Allotments/Biodiversity Groups
Position of Secure Storage	Conditional on off-site provision
Bird boxes and other conservation measures	QED Allotments/Biodiversity Groups
Play/community activities area (for tenants)	QED Allotments Group

Summary: Many of the items listed here need to be considered in the context of developments that may take place elsewhere in the QED Project area and beyond. This need not delay implementation of the rest of the allotment site proposal.

2: Clearance

Clearance and disposal of unwanted undergrowth	Groundwork (tasks defined after environmental survey)
Cultivation of topsoil
a) High-cost option: mechanical cultivation	Groundwork/contractor
b) Low-cost option: carpet cover	QED Allotments/Waste Management Groups
Contouring and levelling
a) High-cost option: mechanical treatment	Groundwork/contractor
b) Low-cost option: phased hand working	QED Allotments/Health Groups, Tenants
Open up access points	Groundwork

Note: Choices between the high-cost and low-cost options will have to take into account the results of the environmental survey, which may limit or preclude mechanical treatment , and the availability of equipment and operatives on concessional terms.

3: Service Provision - Underground

Determine standard of water supply provision required	QED Allotments Group: See Proposal Map for proposed water pipe and dip tank locations
Determine timing and phasing of water provision	QED Allotments Group
Costing and Finance	QED Allotments Group (costing only) /QED Steering Group/DBC/Groundwork
Install water pipe from closest source to perimeter	Groundwork/contractor
Install water meter and stop cock	Groundwork/contractor
Install water pipes on site with connections, inspection points and drain	Groundwork/contractor

Note: The standard of dip-tank provision implied by the map is in accordance with current European standards. Every effort should be made to conserve water on site, in line with the aims of Local Agenda 21. Nevertheless, a high standard of provision is essential if the site is to be fully accessible to the elderly and disabled, who cannot be expected to carry water long distances.

4: Service Provision - Ground Level

Determine standard of provision required
(a) Main access paths	QED Health/Allotments Groups
(b) Paths between/within plots	QED Health/Allotments Groups
(c) Hard standing	Conditional on off-site provision
(d) Bases for sheds	QED Allotments Group
(e) Raised beds	QED Health/Allotments Groups
Determine timing and phasing of provision	QED Allotments Group
Costing and Finance	QED/DBC/Groundwork
Installation
a) High-cost option: using new materials	Groundwork/contractor
b) Low-cost option: phased hand working using recycled materials	Groundwork/QED Waste Management/Allotment/Health Groups/Tenants

Note: The measures described thus far provide the basic infrastructure for the allotment site. At this point parts of the site which are not immediately tenanted would be covered in used carpet to suppress weed growth , and no service provision would be made above ground level to avoid the risk of damage through vandalism.

5: Service Provision - Above Ground Level

Determine standard of provision required:
a) Sheds	QED Allotments Group
b) Dip Tanks	QED Allotments Group
Determine timing and phasing of provision	QED Allotments Group
Costing and Finance	QED/DBC/Groundwork
Installation
a) High-cost option: using new materials	Groundwork/contractor (essential for dip tanks)
b) Low-cost option: hand built	QED Waste Management/Allotment/Health Groups/Tenants

6: Maintenance

Carpet covering for vacant land	QED Waste Management Group
Retained/planted vegetation	QED Allotment/Biodiversity Groups
Paths (if grass)	QED Allotments Group

7: Administration

Insurance for Operations On Site
(a) Short term	QED/DBC
(b) Long Term	Darenth CP QED Project Trustees
Site management
(a) Short term	QED Allotments Group/DBC
(b) Long Term	Darenth CP QED Project Trustees/ Tenants Association
Tenancies and Recruitment
(a) Short term	QED Allotments Group/DBC
(b) Long Term	Darenth CP QED Project Trustees/ Tenants Association

Note: This proposal assumes that management of the QED Project (including allotments, community composting scheme, etc.) will eventually pass to a board of trustees or equivalent.

8: Finance

Initial Capital Investment	QED/DBC/Groundwork
Capital for Subsequent Site Development	Darenth CP QED Project Trustees
Operating Costs (administration, water, etc.)	Revenues from tenancies

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