Demand for allotments is on the rise and not just with older generations.
More and more young people are digging in too, making grow-your-own cool again.
Norwich has a whopping 1,561 plots, across 18 sites. And currently there are more than 700 people waiting for a plot.
The council’s parks and open spaces team has done a lot to try and get this number down and part of this work includes drafting a new set of rules and guidelines.
These rules have been drafted following ongoing feedback from tenants, including discussions at a focus group session with representatives from local allotment associations last year.
The aim of the new rules is to help people understand their rights and responsibilities and make it easier for the council to take enforcement action where plots are being misused and neglected.
All allotment holders will, this week, be receiving letters to let them know that a new set of rules has been drafted and asking them for their views on these by 15 October. It is intended that these will be finalised when tenants’ feedback is received and following executive approval, for use in 2011.
Councillor Julie Brociek-Coulton, executive member for residents and customer care says: “We are lucky to have so many allotment plots in Norwich and yet with the ever increasing enthusiasm for growing, we never seem to have quite enough. We are doing what we can to meet the demand and part of this is listening to our tenants. Let us know if you think we’re on the right track”.
Allotment tenants can voice their views by clicking on the allotment consultation page.
20 September 2010