Last year I suggested that community allotments might be a good idea and encourage us to be more self-sufficient by producing our own food. I like to think this could help unite communities too by encouraging school children to participate, as well as getting pensioners involved who are used to digging up spuds – especially in The Fens where I am based.
There are plenty of unused allotments standing idle in my village, and what a waste this is of a vital resource which could potentially fill our plates with heavenly tasting, home grown crops.
However, I can’t see how a similar scheme announced by the government today will succeed. It proposes allowing plots of land awaiting development to be used as temporary allotments or community gardens . It takes a lot of hard work to prepare uncultivated land, to nurture and produce edible food. It requires the kind of commitment which might be more forthcoming for a permanent allotment, rather than a temporary site.
I think this plan could become too complicated to operate as it will involve too many people and require the goodwill of landowners. I assume it is not compulsory for developers to participate, so there is no guarantee it will be supported. After all, what is in it for them?
I would prefer to keep this idea simple and involve as few people as possible to ensure its success and reduce bureaucracy. Could local authorities not set aside a strip of land for this purpose? Couldn’t parish councils take charge of unused allotments and run this kind of scheme?
I would love to support a project like this in my community, and feel we could all learn and benefit from it. I think lots more people would too if they had the chance. Would you?
Sorry, I’ve got the opposite of green fingers; any plant I touch dies, unless it’s a weed.
Is it an idea a political party might be interested in in the run-up to the election?
Frugal Dougal, you might find your luck changes if you have some experts helping you. And, I don’t know, is the answer to your question.
You’re right Ellee – crazy to have temporary allotments
Very crazy idea to have temporary allotments….developers do not need all the land…!!
we have allotments around here, and they are all full.
A community one would be a great idea, I would definitely support it.
I like your idea of it much better and yes I would 🙂
me to the noodle tree to grow like in italy?
No I don’t like the idea of community allotments. community anything tends to be dominated by a certain type and others do as they are told or leave. I’m talking of rules but what tends to happen. Better any community land be given over to community grazing where livestock can be kept.
There is a waiting list for allotments where I live but some land lies idle because it either gets water logged or is just too difficult to cultivate, so a casual onlooker sees this land and may assume cultivation hasn’t been attempted. I’m not saying you’ve done this, Ellee, my point is that if the land is too difficult then loan or use of a council large rotovator would be good. Also smaller (half) plots to spread the benefit between many.
Typo: I’m NOT talking of rules but what tends to happen.
I agree with you Ellee.