Concerning news reported in the Telegraph last week stated that the Deputy Prime Minister has granted councils the authority to sell allotments to finance spending. Reports indicate that Angela Rayner, has given councils the authority to sell assets, including sports fields and allotment sites, to finance spending. Angela Rayner has personally already approved the sale of eight allotment sites across England.
The Allotment Act of 1925 states that the sale of allotment sites require permission from Westminster but given the government’s objective of constructing 1.5 million homes, would there be significant resistance to such an approval? Despite protests, allotment sites are already being sold, with many others set for closure. According to the article a government spokesperson has said that these sites should only be sold if “absolutely necessary.” Unfortunately it is a sad fact that once these developments go ahead, it will be a challenge to halt or reverse the process.
The importance of green spaces in our communities
We all know that the need for new homes in the UK has increased significantly, but the idea of using our allotments and playing fields for housing developments would be so damaging for the local communities who benefit from them. These are not brownfield sites, they are precious and need to be protected. There are acres of empty warehouses, industrial estates, factory sites and office blocks that continue to be eyesores that surely would be better options to build on as the infrastucture is already in place.
Why are allotments so important?
This really is a no brainer, the answer is obvious! Allotments have a massive role to play, not only do people want to grow better more interesting fruit and vegetables but they have become a place to escape to, a pleasure away from all the hassle’s of everyday life. As the demand for allotments continues to increase and more people become concerned about environmental issues such as carbon footprints, chemicals and genetically modified foods, and with food prices increasing on a daily basis, it’s never been a better time to grow your own. Nothing beats the satisfaction of growing something from seed, to put food on your table and being able to say, “I grew that”
With so many new developments having little if no garden space at all, having an allotment is a great way of getting your hands on valuable gardening space. It is a great opportunity to meet fellow allotment holders as well as a relaxing, sociable way to garden. There is always something new to learn, not to mention it being a great stress reliever and that in turn contributes to both physical and mental well-being. Allotments foster crucial community engagement, particularly for vulnerable older generations who are increasingly susceptible to loneliness and social isolation. The National Health Service (NHS) has adopted a “green prescribing” so that patients’ have access to the positive impact of gardening.
Allotment sites also play a crucial part in the preservation of wildlife and the environment, whether it be from ponds, bird houses, insect hotels and feeding stations to the wide variety wildlife friendly plants, flowers and vegetables grown on these sites by people trying to to their bit to help. It is worth noting, that if development on these green spaces is given the go ahead, a number of these locations would likely fall under the category of “small development sites.” If the government’s proposed expansion of the number of small exempt sites is implemented, developers would be also be exempt from paying any compensation for the loss of that biodiversity.
In a statement from the National Allotment Society, they say that “no changes have been made to the statutory protections afforded to allotments in England and Wales”. The NAS is a consultee on the disposal of allotment gardens classified as “Statutory” and added that “statutory allotments cannot be sold or disposed of without following strict legal procedures, including consultation with the National Allotment Society. We remain a consultee in such matters and are directly involved in any proposed disposal process. “We continue to monitor proposed disposals closely and works with local authorities, plot holders, and communities to ensure that all statutory protections are upheld and that allotment land is not lost without proper scrutiny and mitigation”.
Protection for existing allotments comes from the Allotment Act 1925. Section 8 stipulates that where a local authority has purchased or appropriated land for use as allotments, it must not sell, use or dispose of the land for any purpose other than use for allotments without the consent of the Secretary of State for the Environment. Only statutory allotments benefit from the Section 8 protections. Temporary allotments or privately owned allotment land does not benefit from Section 8 protections.
SWCAA will continue to monitor the situation and will update this page with new information when it becomes available.