Demand for allotments is now growing

Jun 17 2009 by Graham Mann, East Kilbride News

PLANS to improve allotment provision in South Lanarkshire took a step closer to reality on Tuesday.

There are currently 269 people on a waiting list for an allotment plot but with only 97 plots available across the county, would-be gardeners are having to wait years to get their shovels dirty.

However, things are looking a lot rosier in the garden after councillors approved a draft ‘Allotment Strategy’ at this week’s community resources committee meeting.

The committee has also given the go-ahead to create an ‘Allotment Forum’ to take the wide-ranging plans forward, and a consultation exercise will take place before the finalised strategy goes before the executive committee for approval at a later date.

At present SLC provides just two allotment sites in the area; one at Allers in East Kilbride, where there are 80 plots, and one at Richmond in Rutherglen, where there are 17.

The key themes and objectives of the draft strategy entitled ‘Growing Success’ are as follows:

Economic development - review, invest in and develop allotment provision, infrastructure and opportunities to support growth of a prosperous social enterprise economy.

Lifelong learning - provide advice, guidance, participatory activities and learning opportunities to encourage access to lifelong learning in every community.

Health and well-being - encourage citizens to participate in the wide range of stimulating activities associated with allotment provision to improve their health and well-being and enrich their quality of life.

Community safety - Use expertise gained from allotment provision and its associated activities to identify and progress potential intervention opportunities which will improve and enhance the safety of our communities.

Environment - support environmental awareness, sustainable developments and regeneration.

The report states: “Composition of the Forum is not yet set but ideally would include representatives invited from council departments who have a responsibility for horticultural colleges, Botanic Gardens, societies and specialist organisations, local community garden groups, horticultural clubs and societies, Beautiful Scotland in Bloom and Supercounty.”

SLC has a statutory duty under the Allotment (Scotland) Act 1892 to provide allotments.

Also, in 2007, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) provided an update to councils giving guidance on acquisition of land for providing allotments.

In the draft allotment action plan’s foreward, councillor Gerry Convery, chair of community resources, said: “The council will work with individuals, community groups and agencies to develop and help promote the provision of allotment activities. We will endeavour to act as a catalyst to promote and develop these interests.

“Together, we can all play our part in helping to make South Lanarkshire a greener and more sustainable environmental in which to live and work.”

What do you think? Send your views to gmann@s-un.co.uk