allotment demand in Wales
30 July 2009
The WLGA recognises the unique role of allotments in bringing all sections of the community together. They provide opportunities for people to grow their own produce as part of the long term promotion of sustainability and healthy living. Allotments and community gardens are valuable green spaces and community assets that can help improve people's quality of life by promoting healthy food, exercise and community interaction.
Public interest in allotments has undergone a recent revival in line with current thinking on healthy eating, organic food and exercise. This has created a greater demand for allotments in some areas, which is critical to protecting them from a change of use in the future as a consequence of disuse or dereliction.
It is Local Government’s aim is to ensure that allotments are well managed and are considered as part of the overall green infrastructure. We are committed to working with local authorities to promote best practice and ensure quality and appropriate availability now and for future generations.
There are some key issues to consider in determining the supply of allotments; availability of good quality land in the right location which is a real constraint for some authorities. This is critical to the feasibility of providing further allotments where demand is high. It should also be recognised that running an allotment is not easy and not always a ‘cheap’ option. It involves hard work and time and often local authorities see drop out rates of up to 50% in the first couple of years after a tenancy begins; one allotment recently had six people on the waiting list; it now has a vacant plot. It is difficult to manage demand and meet expectations in that changing context.
Allotments are also uniquely protected through the legislative and planning framework within the wider context of national policy to improve the quality of urban green spaces and are further protected by specific legislation and their disposal is governed by a robust consents regime. To dispose of a statutory allotment, a local authority must obtain consent from the Secretary of State under Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925.
The WLGA actively promotes good practice that is happening across Wales. For example, Torfaen Borough Council grants aid to two allotment societies to run 1,000 plots spread across 39 sites. The council spends approximately £50,000 on this and is working towards an Allotment strategy to support this work. This partnership is critical to delivery.