Robert Brown calls for more support for allotments

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Aug 2007

Robert Brown, Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow region has called for a national strategy for supporting existing allotments and developing new ones.

The call came after Mr. Brown met officials from the Glasgow Allotments Forum (GAF) and then toured several allotment sites in Glasgow. During the visit, he discovered that some allotment sites in Glasgow have a waiting list of up to 8 years.

In Scotland there is no statutory requirement for the local authorities to provide allotments on demand, and subsequently they are very often over subscribed.

Robert Brown said:

"It is time for a proper national and local strategy both to support allotments and to make sure more new sites are identified, particularly when housing estates are being planned.

"Over 40% of housing in Glasgow is made up of tenement flats without gardens. With allotment waiting lists of 8 years, it's clear that there is a demand from people to have their own bit of green space on which to grow fruit and vegetables, plants and flowers.

"Existing sites in Glasgow also vary in the facilities provided. Some sites don't have proper paths, electricity, or a community facility for meetings or events. I want to see a regeneration strategy for development of these sites - in tandem with the creation of new allotment locations.

"The lifestyle benefits of running an allotment are enormous - exercise, relaxation, the chance to meet new people, not to mention the advantage of growing your own fruit and veg - it can be much cheaper and you will always know where your food has come from!

"Some allotments also engage with local schools, and the advantage of that to the children is tremendous.

"More support from local authorities, on the back of a national strategy for regeneration would ensure that planning decisions are made with the considerable benefits of allotments in mind."