I have decided to reopen after Witney Town Council have declared publicly they they have no jurisdiction over allotment tenancies or policy here in Witney. This puts the ball firmly back in Witney Allotment Associations court. I should imagine that this is because Witney Town Council doesn't want to set a president where Witney Allotment Association can run back to them each and every time they have a decision to make. You can see WTC's response here https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/quails_on_allotments_8#incoming-692913 Now considering when the committee of the WAA me on 15th July 2015 they said in the minutes that there was "In principal there is no objection to the keeping of Qualis (their spelling mistake)", I emailed their chair saying that I was going ahead and keeping the quail on my plot, only for it to be suggested that I have broken my tennancy agreement - a completely incorrect accusation! Here is the email from Mary Killick received yesterday: "Thank you Richard but until I , or the committee get communication from WTC to that effect and not second hand via you , I ask you again not to put quail onto your plot until the amenities meeting in September . Barrie tells me you already have placed a quail house on your plot. That is presumptuous action and does not follow paragraph 11 of the tenancy agreement which you signed which states "sheds and other structures can only be erected with the permission of the Association" No permission has been sought by you . You are contravening the tenancy agreement. If you do not wish to follow your tenancy agreement you may wish to consider whether being a member of WAA is for you Yours Mary Killick" Here was my response: "Seriously Mary? Barrie was really helpful yesterday in assisting me to finish off the structure. Aiding and abetting? Laughable! If you want to challenge my tenancy then please do so, but lets remember Section 12.1 of the Allotment Act 1950. "Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any lease or tenancy or in any covenant, contract or undertaking relating to the use to be made of any land, it shall be lawful for the occupier of any land to keep, otherwise than by way of trade or business, hens or rabbits in any place on the land and to erect or place and maintain such buildings or structures on the land as reasonably necessary for that purpose:" Please Mary, don't threaten me. You will find that I am acting well within the law and the terms of any agreement that I have with Witney Allotment Association. What is even more laughable is that you complimented my current hen set up and that was erected without WAA permission too. Whilst I am finding this interesting, is it not time that we put this behind us and move onwards? Warmest wishes, Richard" There are also a number of people that have let me know since last night that they too did not seek permission for their sheds or greenhouse either. Does that mean the WAA will hang a threat of eviction over their heads too? Get as many people to sign this petition as possible and lets get a win for common sense and decency!