Welsh allotments summit discusses law change
Green-fingered campaigners came together at an allotment summit in Cardiff to discuss what changes need to be made in order to make more land available for people to grow their own food.
The summit, organised byPlaid CymruWelsh Assembly Member Across the country, would-be growers have been refused land for allotment use and many have seen private sites sold off for development. In Treherbert in the Rhondda, campaigners lost their fight to retain Haigside allotments following a long fight with the council against development on the land. In Narberth in Pembrokeshire, people have been campaigning since 1993 for the local authority to provide plots.
Speaking following the summit, Plaid Cymru's sustainability spokesperson
“The summit provided an opportunity for a variety of experts and those interested in food growing to come together following mounting concerns about a shortage of allotment plots. It was a very positive meeting; we found that there are a lot of things that can be done at a national and local level to encourage food growing projects, simply by strengthening the legislation that’s already in place. We looked at the potential of changes to planning guidance and ways to encourage developers to pay for the provision of allotments on any new housing developments. In order to ensure that the need for allotments is being dealt with properly, it was felt that every local authority should have an allotment officer in place. “The summit also identified the potential for food growers to link up with other voluntary sector organisations. It was felt, for example, that food growing could be used for therapeutic purposes for people with mental health problems, asylum seekers, and young offenders. There is widespread understanding of the benefits that can be gained from people growing food together.
“Today’s summit was a good start with many positive ideas put forward just the start. Following this, I will now be collating all the evidence and publishing a report which will include an action plan and recommendations to ensure everyone who wants to grow their own food, can.”
"It's not ideal and it's not a safe thing, we have got a 10 year lease but that could be terminated when the landowner wanted. We're providing the allotments but we haven't got the security."
Calling for a different approach taken by councils to provide the land,
"They need to think proactively and creatively to fulfil their obligation [to provide allotments]. There's so much demand and it will probably get worse.” |
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