SECTION 10 – ALLOTMENTS 10. Allotments Introduction and definition 10.1 This typology includes all forms of allotments. The primary purpose of allotments is to provide opportunities for people to grow their own produce as part of the long-term promotion of sustainability, health and social inclusion. This type of open space may also include urban farms. 10.2 Like other open space types, allotments can provide a number of wider benefits to the community in addition to their primary purpose. These include: • bringing together different cultural backgrounds • improving physical and mental health • providing a source of recreation • making a wider contribution to the green and open space network. Context 10.3 Allotments are becoming increasingly popular nationally, following the recognition of the role that they can play in encouraging all sectors of the community to participate in active recreation. Allotments offer an alternative active pastime to participation in formal sport, particularly for older residents. 10.4 The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) 2008 is responsible for national policy on allotments and consider allotments to be important in terms of bring together all sections of the community, as well as providing opportunities for people to grow their own and promote health and wellbeing. 10.5 DCLG aims to ensure that allotments are well managed, and are only disposed of where there is no demand for them and established criteria are met. 10.6 It details the duties of Borough, District and Parish Councils covered by [Section 23 of the 1908 Allotments Act (as amended)].. 10.7 Contributions towards allotments in Charnwood from new development are not currently required by the Charnwood Borough Council Local Plan. 10.8 This section considers the quality, quantity and accessibility of allotments across Charnwood. Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 251 SECTION 10 – ALLOTMENTS Current Provision 10.9 There are currently 34 allotment sites across Charnwood. These sites are predominantly distributed across the larger settlements and service centres. 10.10 The average size of sites is 37 plots. Provision varies significantly however from 7 plots (East Road Allotments, Wymeswold) to 90 plots (Cambridge Road, Shepshed). There is no clear pattern relating to the size of the settlement and the size of the allotment. Although smaller settlements predominantly contain smaller allotments sites, the main towns contain a mixture of small and large sites. In addition to varying numbers of plots, the size of plots also varies significantly. 10.11 In total there are circa 1293 plots. In some instances plot sizes are estimates. Where site size is not known, it has been assumed that the site is average size (37 plots). 10.12 Sites are managed by a variety of bodies but predominantly by Parish Councils and Charnwood Borough Council. The Borough Council manages 10 sites. 10.13 As highlighted above, demand for allotments has increased in recent years and this is reflected in the presence of waiting lists at sites across the Borough. This additional demand is now evident in all parts of the Borough. Analysis of approximate take up of existing plots indicates that there are over 1200 plots tended. The majority of vacant plots are located in Quorn. There are also some vacancies at sites in Birstall and Barrow although there are waiting lists at other sites in these areas. 10.14 30% of respondents to the household survey indicated that they would be interested in managing an allotment. Levels of interest vary across the borough, with 27% of respondents in larger settlements indicating that they would be interested in tending an allotment plot, 32% in the service centres and 37% in the smaller settlements. 10.15 The quantity of allotments across the Borough is summarised in Table 10.1. Table 10.1 - Provision of allotments across Charnwood Settlement Settlement hierarchy provision Current (hectares) sites of Number Smallest site (hectares) site Largest (hectares) LDF population (2021) 1000 Provision per population (2021) Larger settlements 20.09 17 0.50 2.5 101,368 0.20 Service centres 18.71 13 0.39 2.49 61,779 0.30 Smaller settlements 2.52 5 0.16 0.83 12,253 0.21 Overall 41.32 35 0.16 2.49 175,400 0.24 Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 252 SECTION 10 – ALLOTMENTS 10.16 The key issues emerging from Table 10.1 and consultations relating to the quantity of allotments include: • a difference in opinion regarding the quantity of allotments is evident. 40% of respondents to the household survey feel that provision is insufficient (15% ‘not enough’ and 25% ‘nearly enough’) and 33% of residents state that provision is sufficient • the distribution of allotments is uneven, both in terms of number of sites, and site size. Provision per 1000 population is highest within the service centres. Despite this, opinions of the quantity of allotments are relatively consistent – although satisfaction levels are slightly higher amongst residents from the larger settlements where there is most provision: - larger settlements - household survey results indicate that 38% of respondents perceive allotment provision to be adequate, whilst 36% consider it to be insufficient (20% ‘not enough’ and 16% ‘nearly enough’) - service centres - 48% of respondents to the household survey regard the provision of allotments to be insufficient (33% ‘not enough’ and 15% ‘nearly enough’). However, 24% of respondents feel that provision is adequate - smaller settlements - 43% of respondents to the household survey consider the provision of allotments to be insufficient (32% ‘not enough’ and 11% ‘nearly enough’). 36% of residents indicate that provision is adequate • general comments from residents emphasise the need to increase the provision of allotments in Charnwood. In addition to a lack of provision, residents highlight a high demand for this type of open space, with waiting lists evident on a number of sites • feedback from other surveys undertaken for this study also highlighted demand for additional allotment provision, with 76% of respondents from the Officer Survey and 63% of respondents from the on-line survey deeming current provision to be insufficient • at the Parish Council workshop, it was noted that there were shortfalls of allotment provision across the Borough. In particular shortfalls were noted in Anstey, Rothley, Queniborough, Syston, Birstall and Barrow. Increased allotment provision was one of the main issues identified at the workshops • shortfalls of allotments provision were also identified during the stakeholder workshop with many attendees making reference to the waiting lists evident on current sites – for example, detailed waiting lists held for allotments in Loughborough by Charnwood Borough indicate that there are currently 284 plots and a further 190 residents on the waiting list for a plot • analysis of feedback from Parish Council surveys suggest that the majority of allotment sites are near or at capacity. There are some spaces at sites in Quorn, Barrow upon Soar and Birstall. Setting quantity standards 10.17 The recommended local quantity standard for allotments has been derived from the local needs consultation and audit of provision and is summarised overleaf. Full justification for the local standard is provided within Appendix E. Charnwood Borough Council - Open Spaces, Sport & Recreation Study Page 253 SECTION 10 – ALLOTMENTS 10.18 The standard recommends an increase on the existing level of provision. This is based on the existing waiting lists in addition to expressed demand from local residents. Quantity Standard (see Appendices D and E – standards and justification, worksheet and calculator) Existing level of provision (hectares Recommended standard (hectares per per 1000) 1000) Larger settlements – 0.22 0.33 ha per 1000 Service centres – 0.33 Smaller settlements – 0.23 Justification Findings from local consultation identify high demand for allotments, with 40% of respondents to the household survey indicating that they need additional allotments are required and 30% of residents suggested that they would be interested in renting an allotment if sufficient plots were available. Shortfalls and waiting lists were also identified during consultations with Parish Councils, stakeholders and internal officers, reinforcing the need for higher levels of provision. The local standard has therefore been set above the existing boroughwide level of provision placing an emphasis on new site development and also the protection of current allotment sites. The standard takes into account the amount of additional space required to meet current and future waiting lists (and assumes that waiting lists will be filled by providing half plots). This standard should be applied to each settlement to enable the identification of specific deficiencies and the application of the accessibility standard will inform decision making on new allotment provision. In addition to maximising the amount of allotments provided, consideration should be given to alternative management practices, such as half plots. Quality Current position 10.19 The quality of existing allotments was assessed through site visits undertaken by the Borough Council. Each site was measured against the factors defined in the quality standard (summarised later in this section) and received a total percentage score. 10.20 The quality of allotments is summarised in Table 10.2. This table summarises the total percentage