‘We’re losing the plots’

GOVERNMENT must pile pressure on councils to provide more allotments , an MP has warned.

Manchester Withington MP John Leech said there was insufficient provision across Greater Manchester — with more than 200 people in Oldham waiting for their own plot and 3,000 across the 10 council areas as a whole.

He told MPs that Oldham has 431 plots, but a waiting list of 220.

Mr Leech said: “The figures for Greater Manchester show a consistent pattern of high demand and lack of supply.”

The Lib-Dem MP said attitudes to allotments have changed, with their popularity rising among young people, particularly women.

He added: “The Small Holdings and Allotment Act 1908 seems pretty clear that if there is a demand, the local authority has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient number of plots.

“It is clear from previous debates on allotment provision that the Government has been reluctant to take the initiative and enforce the relevant legislation.

“Local authorities continue to exploit the Government’s reluctance to act by clearly breaching the 100-year-old legislation.

“Unless we take action now the situation will only get worse.”

Mr Leech, speaking in a debate on allotment provision, called for Government to issue more guidance to councils making it clear they have a responsibility to provide plots.

And if guidance is ignored, ministers should find ways to make councils comply, he added.

A spokesman for Oldham Council said: “The allotment is something of a British institution that’s cherished by the vast majority of people. When you look at the benefits to the community it’s easy to see why.

“For many people it allows them to get fresh fruit and vegetables for their families at a fraction of the cost of shopping at a supermarket or greengrocer.

“Many allotments also add to the bio-diversity of the local community, as they act as a haven for wildlife and allow birds and mammals to thrive.”.