The petition of residents of the constituency of South Norfolk,
Declares that the allotmenteers of Wymondham are saddened by the ending of the lease of the land by Anglian Water to Wymondham town council, which will result in the loss of allotment plots.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Anglian Water to uphold its corporate responsibilities to local people and areas, including the allotmenteers of Wymondham.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Ben Goldsborough, Official Report, 29 April 2025; Vol. 766, c. 299.]
[P003057]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy):
The Government hope that Anglian Water recognises the strength of feeling in the community and works closely with the local authority and local partners for a mutually beneficial outcome. However, this matter does not fall under the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Anglian Water is a private company and must comply with all legal requirements and planning rules, but is otherwise free do as it wishes with land it owns. DEFRA regulation of the water sector is focused on water supply, water quality, sewerage provision and control of pollution. The Government do not interfere with the actions of a private company unless and until it breaches regulations enforceable by a Government regulator, such as Ofwat. Allotments are a matter for the local authority; therefore it is its responsibility to work with the company regarding the sale of the land, and to make alternative provision for allotment holders.