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Joe Swift, presenter of Gardener's World and garden designer, says: "Allotments are so important, especially in the city as they are places where we can grow fresh food, interact with our community and reap the rewards of regular exercise. In my view allotments are sacred places and somewhere the all important skills involved in growing can be passed down to the next generation. We must value, protect them and create more, not lose the ones we have."

Monty Don, gardening expert, author and TV presenter says: "I condemn without reservation Thames Water’s absurd proposal to build over the allotment site at Fortis Green. There has never been greater demand for allotments, never greater interest by young and old alike and never greater need for everyone to have the opportunity to grow their own vegetables and fruit. Allotments are one of the treasures of British society and we urgently need many more whilst fighting to protect those that we still have."

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, broadcaster, writer and chef of 'River Cottage' fame and food campaigner, says: "I am passionately committed to giving people the chance to grow their own food, and for thousands of people that of course means through local, communal allotments, particularly in large cities where the necessary garden space to have your own veg patch is hardest to come by. At a time where there is an unprecedented new interest in the pleasures, educational value and financial savings of harvesting your own food, allotments have never been so in demand. In fact, we clearly, need more, not less. So the loss of any such space, particularly one that is so well established, productive and well loved is something that should be strongly opposed."

Kate Humble, presenter of BBCTV’s ‘Springwatch’ and Autumnwatch’, says: "Green spaces in urban areas support an incredible array of wildlife and they are equally good for people. In a time when we are being urged to think about food miles, the environment and encouraging our children to get away from computers and discover the great outdoors, areas like the Fortis Green Allotments should be protected at all costs from urban development."

Simon King, BBC wildlife presenter, photographer and film maker, says of our campaign: "The British Isles rightly prides itself as having some of the greenest urban areas on the planet. When I return to the UK from trips overseas, I am proud to be part of a nation that values its green space as a priority over short-term commercial gain. Among these urban oases, allotments represent a vital resource for wildlife and human beings alike. Butterflies, birds, bats, foxes and field mice all thrive in the forgotten corners of the nation’s allotments, and the benefits, both practical and spiritual, to the dedicated people who work their plots are immeasurable. The idea that such a valuable resource might be lost to the pressure of modern housing developments flies in the face of the very fabric of British values."

Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly Member and chair of the Assembly's Planning and Housing Committee says: "Thames Water has some good policies on the environment but here they are failing to recognise the value of allotments and the imperative there is to grow healthy food. They are really doing the dirty on local people. The Save Fortis Green Allotments campaign has strong cross-party support, with the Greens, Labour and the LibDems."

Joanne McCartney,  Labour Party Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey, says: "What Thames Water are doing here is really worrying. Selling to the highest bidder almost certainly means selling to a developer and that's very bad news for the allotments despite the existing planning restraints. The developers always have the money to appeal and appeal -- and they know how to get their way."

Claire Kober, Leader of Haringey Council, sent this message of support: "Haringey Council will do all in its power to protect this important site. We have already written to Thames Water making it clear that our planning policies are strongly against built development on the site, and asking that they make that absolutely clear to any prospective purchaser. It is protected both as 'Significant Local Open Land' and an ecologically valuable green site, with a strong presumption against development.Our planning policy is also to protect existing allotment sites. We need more allotments not less and certainly don’t want to see any existing allotments built on."

Martin Newton (Fortis Green Ward Councillor) says: “The Fortis Green reservoir is a wonderful open space, much loved by local residents and home to many residents’ allotments. I will do all I can to ensure that this site is protected for future generations."

Lynne Featherstone (MP for Hornsey & Wood Green) says: “Developers must be licking their lips at the prospect of prime development land coming up for grabs. What Haringey Council must do is protect this valuable open space."

David Winskill (Councillor and Shadow Lead for Leisure and Parks in Haringey) says: “At a time when waiting lists for allotments all over London have been closed, it seems insane to even consider building on this precious resource. I will do all I can to resist any proposals for housing on the site.”