Plot to curb demand for allotments

Published on Friday 2 May 2008 10:28

PEOPLE with gardens could be banned from Edinburgh's allotments under new plans to tackle the seven-year waiting list for plots in the city.

The city council is investigating whether to change the current first-come-first-served system in the face of the growing demand.

There are currently more people waiting for an allotment than there are plots in the city, with 1500 people vying for just 1419 fully-occupied plots.

Veteran Labour councillor Elizabeth Maginnis called for the review to examine if someone who has access to a garden should be allowed on the list. And city leaders are now looking into the move.

Environment leader Councillor Robert Aldridge said: "The council has agreed to review the existing allotments strategy as it is clear that there is huge interest in this area. Part of this process will be to examine a policy about whether or not applicants have existing garden access."

However, allotment societies around the city described the plan as "unworkable" and a "potential minefield of problems".

Peter Wright, of the Federation of Edinburgh and District Allotment Gardens Associations, said: "Is it going to get to a situation where you're going to have to be 'means tested' for allotments?"

And Jenny Mollison, of the Scottish Allotment Gardens Society, added: "I have a garden but it is north facing, and therefore unsuitable for growing vegetables.

"Independent allotment holder Paul Wright, of Orwell Place, Dalry, has held his patch since the early 90s and said he had noticed a huge increase in demand.

He said: "It's not seen as an old man's hobby any more. There are a number of young professionals spurred on by the healthy eating movement.

"However, there's just not the space for it."

The popularity of allotments in the city was demonstrated when Scotland's first organic site last year won nearly 250,000 of funding to encourage people from deprived communities to take up gardening

The Bridgend Allotments in Craigmillar Country Park were given the grant by the Big Lottery Fund for a project to promote healthy eating and exercise.