Allotments and privacy

I've personally never really seen the attraction of having an allotment - they seem like a lot of hard-work for a very limited around of return. But that's just my view.

With allotments in mind, news has reached Big Brother Watch of the ludicrous situation of a Lincolnshire council demanding to know the sexual orientation, race and religion of those applying for one of the eighteen vacant plots in the City of Lincoln.

Local allotment-holders' association leader Fred Hyde was correct when he said:

"It's damned intrusive. Why do they want to know all these details? All these people are doing is trying to grow some fruit and veg. If I got one through, I'd send it right back and would be advising my members to do the same"

Quite why the sexual orientation of an allotment holder should be a matter of concern to Lincoln City Council is a mystery - although it does constitute a gross invasion of privacy which should be strongly resisted.

Click here for the full story.

By Daniel Hamilton.

Comments

[SadButMadLad]

Previously mentioned on the TPA site itself.

http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/westmidlands/2010/09/monitoring-allotment-applicants.html

To be honest, it's an optional step offered after the application itself has been made. It's not compulsory.

[mistamovie]

i think the sexual orientation has something to do with allocating the sloping plots? perhaps someone was having a giggle

[Robert Saunders]

Most likely some form of equal opps monitoring, I would have thought, especially if it's asked after the application's been made.