The Fall and Rise of the Allotment Plotholder
INTRODUCTION
Allotments have been around for a long time. They were originally created for poor agricultural workers to compensate them for the loss of common land during the enclosures of the eighteenth century. Allotments proved a good way of alleviating rural poverty and their creation became official government policy in 1845. By 1873 there were 242,000 of them, one allotment for every three agricultural workers in England.
The take-up of allotments declined everywhere after 1960, and in spite of all Plymouth City's efforts the decline has happened here too. From a reported 400 acres after the War, the area is now down to about 100 acres of allotment land, as has happened in many places where now the reverse is occurring.
HOW TO MEASURE SUPPLY
The supply is best measured by acres or hectares and not by 'plots' since these can be varied in their size of which a standard plot generally in ten rods (302.5 square yards). With the paths and access roads this yields 12 to 14 plots per acre for the usual plot. Plymouth is claiming around 1045 plots of various sizes at present, with a very high occupancy-rate, which would about balance out with less than 100-acre estimate. Ocean Street - a large site - is not included in that count.
WHERE DO ALLOTMENTS COME FROM?
All statutory allotment authorities including Plymouth operate under the 1908 Act and its subsequent amendments. Broadly this involves:
(a) Section 23: the duty to provide allotments (activated if six or more taxpayers or voters make a request)
(b) Section 32: the duty to use money from the sale of unused allotment land to meet to obligation to provide and upgrade where there is a shortage
(c) The power to let allotment land unused for the time being to co-operatives and other organizations to related purposes (tree growing? education and training? community growing?) Provided that the lease states that the land must be returned in a fit state for cultivation when the demand for allotments increases.
HOW IS THE ALLOTMENT LAND OBTAINED?
If private arrangements are not sufficient and a latent demand exists then there are four ways a statutory authority can get land for allotments:
(1) By renting land by agreement
(2) By buying land on the open market
(3) By arranging for a compulsory lease
(4) By making a compulsory purchase under the Acquisition of Land Act.
In addition a section 106 order attached to planning permission may require that land be set aside or improved for allotments as part of a development scheme.
Land held under any of these arrangements (such as renting a site from a private owner) counts as City allotment provision, and may need replacing if the arrangement ceases. This is important because the duty to provide allotments comes into force when private arrangements are not sufficient.
PLANNING GUIDANCE
It is also a current planning requirement to check that allotments are being provided: Planning Policy Guidance 17 under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990:
Broadly this states:
It is important that allotments are retained where they perform an open space function and contribute to sustainable development. Development plans should include allotments as part of the informal open space provision. Allotments are included because they provide for recreational needs, improve the quality of life, help regeneration of town areas, promote health and wellbeing, are a haven for flora and fauna, a community resource and a visual amenity.
STATUTORY ALLOTMENT LAND
This is land acquired by any council for the purpose of allotments - as will be stated in the resolution covering its purpose. All remaining Plymouth Allotment land is Statutory Allotment Land - this means it cannot be used for other purposes without prior agreement from the Deputy Prime Minister's Office.
IS THE LAW EFFECTIVE?
Only if it is used. It gives Plymouth, allotment organizations and individuals the power (and duty) to defend and extend the hobby through council action. But in this life if you can’t be bothered no one can be bothered for you. Action supporting beleaguered Allotment Officers, Associations or Council must come in the first place from those involved, from keen gardeners.
NOTICE BOARD
Smoking Kills!! Please do not light individual bonfires.
