Health chiefs cultivate plan for allotments

Published on Friday 13 November 2009 09:07

HUNDREDS of new temporary allotments could be created under a plan by health chiefs to turn derelict space into community gardens.

Up to 15 acres of land near the Royal Edinburgh Hospital would be handed over to community groups and individuals to grow fruit, vegetables and other plants under the plans.

The first plot-holders are set to move in in the spring, and more than 400 people could eventually be gardening on the site.

The plan could make a big impact on the council's allotment waiting list, which is currently more than 2,000, but these plots will not strictly speaking be allotments, since they will only be available on temporary leases.

Dr Charles Winstanley, chairman of the NHS, is chairing a steering group, with representatives of allotments and community gardens associations. They are looking for an independent organisation to run the scheme.

They will divide the land into community gardens, each measuring 50 metres square. Around 30 or 40 people could have "growing plots" in each garden.

Staff and patients at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital have already tried "gardening therapy" with help from the charity Artlink, but this time the land will be available to members of the public.

Peter Wright MBE, chairman of the Federation and District Allotments and Gardens Associations, is on the steering group.

He said: "Some of this land used to be used for vegetable gardens for patients and staff. Now we are putting it out to tender to organisations to manage community gardens.

"It could be used for people on the allotment waiting list. Within each community garden, there will be individual growing plots. There could be anywhere between 400 and 800 people using it.

"We're very keen to work with the NHS and make use of the land that's available. Gardening is healthy exercise, and good mental stimulation, as well as producing fruit and vegetables."

He said they expected plots would first be offered to people and groups living in the local area. Since the leases would only be temporary, they can still keep their place on the waiting list.

NHS Lothian is likely to provide basic facilities on the site, such as access to tool storage, water and toilets. The land will at first be on a 12-month rolling lease. NHS Lothian intends to use some of it for development, or sell it for commercial use, in the longer term.