Why Allotments?
Allotments have been an integral part of the urban landscape in the UK for over a century.
Allotments started out as a response to the enclosure acts and the industrial revolution, providing small pockets of land for displaced rural people and the new urban workers to supplement their meagre income and diets.
Allotment gardening reached its zenith in the 1940s when people were urged to "Dig for Victory" during the war. From the 1950s greater affluence and convenience shopping led many people to stop growing food, and this meant that some allotments became under-used and neglected.
In today's context allotments are going through something of a renaissance, helped in no small part by the Allotments Regeneration Initiative. They provide a sustainable source of healthy local food as well as exercise and education for local communities, as well as an important biodiversity habitat for native flora and fauna. Allotments provide green lungs in built up areas and access to publicly owned land.
The UK's wide cultural diversity is reflected on allotment sites, with different allotment sub-cultures apparent at country, regional and local level. The perceived stereotyped image of the allotmenteer is of the retired, white male plotholder tending his vegetables. But there are many other allotment cultures to be celebrated too, with sites playing host to a mixture of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds who are growing foods from the UK and around the globe. Increasingly women enjoy the freedom of their own plots and families are learning about where food comes from, whilst organic growers and competitive giant vegetable fanatics, are all gardening on allotment sites throughout the UK.
Legislation to provide and protect allotments has varied in the UK and consequently affected distribution and uptake: local authorities in England and Wales have a statutory provision to provide allotments, whereas in Scotland and Northern Ireland there is no legal obligation on councils to provide allotments on demand. Consequently, provision has varied. Throughout the UK some allotment sites have been lost to development, whilst others have thrived to become vibrant and pleasant places in contemporary society.
The UK Government has recognised the potential of allotments and many local authorities are now producing formal allotment strategies. These contribute to many different agendas including healthy eating, healthy activity, community links and green spaces. New partnerships are also being forged with the non-statutory sector with a view to supporting this new interest in allotments.
"Allotments are valuable assets to communities and play a vital role in improving the quality of life for people in urban areas. The Allotment Regeneration Initiative has come at an important time for urban green spaces of all types and I will follow its progress with interest." Tony McNulty, Parliamentary Under Secretary, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister following the launch of the Allotments Regeneration Iniative in 2002
"Allotments can help to address a number of important issues ranging from our policy on open spaces to the promotion of healthy living."
Cllr Derek Bateman, LGA Environment and Regneration Executive