Allotments 2 - Garden Allotments

One solution to the dire desire for allotments is "garden allotments". Each English settlement is likely to have a few, if not a lot, of gardens where the owners are unable or unwilling to spend the time to cultivate.

Schemes could be put in hand to match allotment-seekers with garden-owners - ASGO Schemes. The owner is encouraged to make available their garden or part of it to a waiting list waitee. The waitee is offered the chance to take it on.

Of course this kind of thing goes on already but it is not sufficient to make up the national deficiency in the lack of provision. Most of the relevant authorities cannot cope with the demand; they cannot meet their statutory duty to provide. It is probably to informal.

The suggested ASGO Scheme approach might require some or all of the following:

1. A statute providing national terms and conditions for an allotment licence;


2. A statutory duty on town/parish councils, neighbourhood councils or other community groups or relevant local authorities to set up and administer their local area/ neighbourhood scheme;


3. Arrangements for some "remuneration" to owners, eg a box or few of vegetables and fruit;


4. A complaints procedure in the event of dispute.

The benefits are various. On a day-to-day basis possible companionship is afforded. The garden is well kept or should be. The town/parish council council is able to meet the needs of residents seeking a garden - hopefully reducing the allotment waiting lists - without the need to develop new allotments in the immediate future.