More Information
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- Allotments in Doncaster Council Ownership
- Allotment of the Year Competition 2008
- Allotments Map
- Frequently Asked Questions - Allotments
- Frequently Asked Questions - Florence Avenue Allotments
- General Allotment Information
Allotment holders have raised concerns that waste material has been deposited on the site and we are investigating this possibility.
The results show the soil tested has raised levels of heavy metals and tar like substances and at this point, without further investigation, it is unclear if the remaining untested plots are also affected.
The further work will involve sampling the soil, produce grown on the site and eggs from the allotments. Naturally we will discuss the possibility of taking samples with the allotment holders prior to any further work being undertaken.
As soon as we get the results we will explain what has been found to all allotment holders and other site users.
Living on or using land with soil containing raised levels of heavy metals and tar like substances does not mean the soil will affect your health. We have taken specialist health advice and so long as the simple measures detailed below are followed we consider it unlikely that there would be any cause for concern for the allotment holders and other users of this site.
It may be best to avoid eating eggs or poultry from the allotments until we have the further test results. This is because it is possible that there could be certain contaminants in the soil that may transfer to the eggs via the chickens.
All fruit and vegetables should be washed and peeled as appropriate before eating to remove any attached soil. If you are concerned you may wish to eat fruit and vegetables from a variety of sources in addition to produce grown at the allotment as part of a balanced diet.
Hands should be washed after working on the allotments and/or handling produce to clean off any soil.
Please don’t let young children eat the soil.
Although unlikely to be due to the site, if anyone feels unwell or has specific health concerns, they are advised to contact their doctor.
The Food Standards Agency advises that fruit and vegetables should be washed and peeled as appropriate before consumption, as this will remove any attached soil. If you are concerned you may wish to consume fruit and vegetables from a variety of sources in addition to produce grown at the allotments as part of a balanced diet.
Until we have the further test results it maybe best to avoid eating eggs and poultry from the allotments. This is because it is possible that there could be certain contaminants in the soil that may transfer to the eggs from the chicken.
If you are concerned about your chicken/pigeons health for any reason, you should discuss these concerns with your vet.
Yes, but please follow the simple measures below from the Health Protection Agency:
Hands should be washed after working on the allotments and/or handling produce to remove or clean off any soil.
Please don’t let young children eat the soil.
Your health and well-being is very important to us and we are working very hard to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. We will let you know of a time scale as soon as we can.
Some produce testing will be undertaken as part of the new survey but we do not know at this point which plots they will be from. As soon as we know more about the testing we will let you know.
As a goodwill gesture the Council will reimburse this year's allotment fees, and would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information and we hope you have found it helpful.
