Allotment plans for abandoned carpark

11.29.40am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Jul 2008

Councillor Ruth Polling visiting the Pollard Road carpark

A disused car park in Holloway will be turned into allotments under new proposals by Islington's Liberal Democrat councillors.

The car park, located off Pollard Close and Quemerford Road (N7), is currently being used by a social housing contractor as a compound for the renovation of street properties in the area. However, a decision by the council's Liberal Democrat Executive on the 3rd of July will hand the land over to the council's Greenspace department when the renovation works are complete.

Plans are now being drawn up for the car park for when the builders leave. Islington's Lib Dem leadership are keen for the concrete car park to be turned into new allotments.

Councillor Ruth Polling, who is responsible for Islington's parks and green space, said:

"At the moment this is a grey old car park, but it would make a great place for new allotments.

"In a borough as small and densely-populated as Islington we need to be innovative in finding new green spaces for residents to use. Many people here don't have private gardens, which means that our parks and allotments are really important.

"Smashing through concrete and tarmac to create new allotments and parks is one of my favourite parts of the job!"