Developers must help to plug shortage in allotments

LGA press release - 25 March 2008

Large scale developments in urban areas should be forced to allocate land for allotments to combat spiralling waiting lists and a chronic shortage of plots for growing fruit and vegetables in some parts of the country.

It is estimated that 200,000 allotments have been lost in the last thirty years, totalling over eleven square miles, an area 15 times the size of Hyde Park.

However, the last few years has seen an upsurge in demand, with allotments proving particularly popular with environmentally-aware young professionals keen to grow their own organic food. This has led to waiting lists of up to 10 years in some parts of the country.

The Local Government Association, which represents over 400 councils in England and Wales, is encouraging councils to make the most of powers to compel developers to include areas of greenery within new large scale building projects, where a shortage of allotments is a local problem.

Where allotments disappear due to development, council leaders are also calling on the new owners of the land to work with councils to ensure that a comparable area of allotment land is set out as compensation.

New guidance from the LGA, ‘Growing in the Community’:

• Encourages partnerships with allotment associations and ensure that they are consulted on all planning applications that impact on their sites
• Ensures that information on waiting lists and allotment vacancies are well managed to match vacancies to demand

Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA’s Environment Board, said: “The last few years has seen a real upsurge in the number of people who want to get an allotment.  A whole generation of twenty somethings and young families are rolling up their sleeves and picking up a trowel.

“Having an allotment is no longer about flat caps and thermos flasks. Nowadays allotments are the preserve of Jamie Oliver just as much as Arthur Fowler.

“In particular inner cities been poorly equipped for the increase in interest and waiting lists have begun to spiral because of a shortage of plots.

“Urgent action must be taken to meet this growing demand and ensuring developers include space for allotments in new building projects would make a real difference. Green spaces are the lungs of big cities and places where people can relax and get away from the hustle and bustle. 

“There are a whole range of benefits of allotments, from getting out in the fresh air and getting some exercise to growing you own organic food and saving on the shopping bills. At a time when childhood obesity is on the up, organic products are becoming ever more popular and the price of food is rising, getting an allotment makes perfect sense for people to get down to their allotments.”

• In Newcastle, the council and Primary Care Trust have restored a plot of allotments and installed a greenhouse for residents suffering with mental health problems.
• The 'Grow Active' project is run by Blackburn with Darwen Council includes allotment sessions for drug and drink addicts and re-habers, older people over the age of 80, special learning groups and school groups. The council also teaches healthy lifestyle activities, lifestyles and cook and eat sessions.
• In Mansfield, every general practice has signed up to the local GP referral scheme, a joint initiative between the health authority and the council, which directs those who need exercise to a variety of physical activities, including a community allotment. The community allotment is also used by children with learning difficulties from a local school who are taught basic horticultural skills and learn about the benefits of healthy eating through cooking demonstrations.
• The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture works with a number of councils in London to allow victims of torture to garden on allotments in the capital.  

The good practice guide, "Growing in the Community", is available for sale at £25 (£15 to LGA members and not-for-profit organisations). Please order from LG Connect, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ, by fax to 0207 664 3030, or online: Growing in the Community .

Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: Nicholas Mann, 0207 664 3333