ALLOTMENTS, COMMUNITY GARDENS AND GROW-YOUR-OWN PROJECTS

Speech delivered on Thu 17th Dec 2009

I welcome not only this chance to speak in Jim Tolson's debate on allotments, which is a subject very close to my heart, but the significant number of visitors to the gallery. We politicians should recognise and welcome the growing power of the allotments movement.

It is worth remembering and reiterating that local authorities have a statutory duty to provide sufficient allotments to meet demand; however, despite the recent and helpful development of a number of local authority allotment strategies in Scotland, which could and should form a basis on which to move forward, the duty is too often not taken as seriously as it might be. I hope that, when she responds, the minister will say something about what the Government can do to assist in that respect and tell us how local communities and individuals can enforce their rights under the allotments acts.

As other members have said, the subject of allotments and community gardens is relevant to today's society and can be brought to bear on various important issues, including the promotion of healthy vibrant communities; a renewed emphasis on seasonality, which I think is very important; and education about environmental concerns.

We should take a broad view of the matter. Members have referred, for example, to the use of Network Rail land. I have been privileged to be involved in a number of projects that have sought, with ScotRail support, to beautify local stations. I realise that that is not necessarily the same thing, but it is in the same direction of travel and I feel that a good deal more could be done in that regard.

The demand for allotments far exceeds the supply, particularly in urban areas. I believe that, in Glasgow, there are 26 allotment sites with a total of more than 1,200 plots, all of which are full, yet more than 600 people are on the waiting list. In South Lanarkshire, the area around Rutherglen and Cambuslang, where I live, has very few sites; I think that there is a small site in Rutherglen and another in East Kilbride. A community allotments group is trying to identify a site in some other areas as well, but there are considerable difficulties with that. Hugh O'Donnell mentioned planning. Councils should give allotments greater priority. There is also a big issue with contaminated land in our area. Councils could do a great deal more to support allotments.

It is worth considering the example of the north Kelvin meadow and Clouston Street in the west end of Glasgow. A community group took over a disused green space and made it into a multi-use community space for the residents. They are not allotments, but there are raised beds, a fruit garden, composting facilities and a wild flower plantation. They have made an extremely good job of it and an area that was previously rather neglected is now attractive. Of course, in its wisdom, the city council has not taken the opportunity to move forward with the site; rather, it plans to sell the land, which is in an area of the city in which there is already substantial traffic congestion and a large number of tenemental properties, to a property developer.

Nevertheless, Glasgow City Council recognises the benefits of allotments. I reiterate Sarah Boyack's point about the association between allotments and primary schools, healthy eating, and educating children about the environment and seasonality. The project has been implemented in a number of schools throughout Glasgow. I have visited the allotment at Merrylee, which has links with the local primary school and is a good example of what can be done.

Allotments are an idea whose time has come. They are important in a number of respects and hit the right buttons. They should be supported. I hope that the Government and local authorities will make every effort to support this growing trend.

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ALLOTMENTS, COMMUNITY GARDENS AND GROW-YOUR-OWN PROJECTS.