1. Foreword 2. Introduction 2.1 What are allotments? 2.2 Why are allotments important? 2.3 What have we done already? 2.4 Our Allotment Strategy 3. Where we are now? 3.1 Our allotments 3.2 Where are our allotments? 3.3 Our allotment holders 3.4 Demand for allotments 3.5 Determining a local standard for allotment provision 3.6 What our allotment tenants want 4. Where we want to be 4.1 Our vision for allotments in North Tyneside 4.2 Strategic objectives 4.3 Benefits 4.4 National and Local Strategic Context 5. How we are going to achieve this 5.1 Objective 1 5.2 Objective 2 5.3 Objective 3 5.4 Objective 4 5.5 Objective 5 5.6 Objective 6 5.7 Financing our strategy 5.8 Size of investment required 5.9 Monitoring progress and measuring success 6. Further Information Appendix A: Action Plan Appendix B: Profile of our Allotments Appendix C: Key Legislation and Guidance Appendix D: Community Consultation 1. Foreword Allotments are an important part of the everyday landscape of our local neighbourhoods and communities. Yet we frequently take them for granted and don’t give them a second thought as we walk or drive past them. It can be easily overlooked that allotments provide precious green corridors in built up areas and are valued community assets that are enjoyed by all sections of the community. We sometimes forget that they can help improve quality of life by promoting healthy food, exercise and positive mental health . There has been a recent growth of interest in allotments nationally and an increasing appreciation of their social, environmental and economic benefits. The high number of gardening and television cookery programmes on our screens over the last few years has stimulated interest in local and fresh food. The current economic downturn has encouraged some people to consider allotments as a source of cheap, high quality and fresh food. People’s needs regarding allotments are also evolving. We have an aging population and some older allotment holders may wish to downsize to a smaller plot. Busy families may also prefer a more manageable size. New housing tends to have smaller gardens than its predecessors, which can lead to homeowners looking to allotments to meet their gardening and self-sufficiency ambitions. These demands, together with recognised positive practice that recommends that allotment authorities should have an allotment strategy, have led us to review our current allotment service and provision. The resulting strategy sets out where we are now and the steps we want to take to develop our allotments as high quality resources that meet the diverse needs of allotment holders and deliver value for money. We also want to raise the profile of allotments and increase understanding of the wide range of benefits that they can contribute to communities. The agenda we outline in this strategy is challenging and will take a number of years to deliver. The action plan in Appendix A is just the first step - it will be reviewed and built on in future years to make sure that we continue to work towards transforming our vision into reality. Cllr. Glynis Barrie Cabinet Member for Community Services 2. Introduction 2.1 What are allotments? An allotment is historically defined as a plot of land, rented to individuals so that they can grow fruit and vegetables for themselves and their families to eat. “An allotment not exceeding 40 poles (equivalent to 1210 square yards or 1012 square metres) in extent to which is wholly or mainly cultivated by the occupier for the production of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by himself or his family.” Definition of Allotment Garden, Allotment Act 1922 Allotments originate from the enclosure legislation of the 18 th and 19 th centuries. The word 'allotment' comes from land being ‘allotted’ to an individual under an enclosure award. The General Enclosure Act 1845 required that provision should be made for the ‘landless poor’ in the form of 'field gardens' limited to a quarter of an acre. At this time, allotments were largely confined to rural areas although during the second half of the 19 th century, parcels of land in urban areas began to be used as allotments. The first Allotment Act which obliged local authorities to provide allotments if there was demand, was passed by Parliament in 1887. Local authorities have been required to meet statutory responsibilities regarding allotments ever since. Allotment sites can be statutory or temporary. Statutory sites are those that have been acquired by the council for the purpose of being allotment gardens whilst temporary sites have been acquired for other purposes and are being used as allotments in the interim. Some allotments belong to private landowners rather than the council. 2.2 Why are allotments important? In North Tyneside, we have long valued allotments as the green beating heart of the community because we recognise that they can help deliver the following benefits: • Health Improvement : Health Survey for England (HSE) data revealed that in 2006, 38% of adults in England were overweight and 24% were classified as obese. The survey data also showed that, in 2006, only 40% of men and 28% of women met the current physical activity guidelines suggested by the Government (at least 30 minutes of moderately intense activity on five or more days of the week). Gardening is often recommended as a suitable form of exercise for overweight people and can help prevent coronary heart disease and related problems. In some areas, formal GP referral schemes have been set up so that family doctors can ‘prescribe’ allotment gardening. Although we do not have such a scheme in North Tyneside, there have been several examples of doctors suggesting allotment gardening to a patient whose health has since improved. Case Study: “At the time I was given an opportunity to work on a small plot, my biggest concern was if I was going to survive long enough to pick any new crops. However the allotment offered me the chance to meet people, enjoy fresh air and remain active, and helped me to focus my mind on other things, and it together with good medical care resulted in me enjoying a full recovery. I am now healthy, happy, still enjoying my plot and back to full time employment.” Allotment User who was introduced to the Allotment Service by his Oncology Consultant after developing Hodgkinson’s Lymphoma. The plot was part of a community allotment which received Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. We have an ageing population. By 2021 it is estimated that, nationally, a quarter of the population will be over 60. In later life, physical activity has an important role to play in maintaining functional ability, preventing disability and isolation and promoting independence. Allotment gardening has traditionally been enjoyed by older people and has an important role to play in helping older people participate in exercise. The role of green spaces in creating Lifetime Neighbourhoods (neighbourhoods which are welcoming, accessible, and inviting for everyone regardless of age, or health, or disability) is highlighted in Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society (DCLG, 2008) • Positive mental health: Allotments help people get out of the house, gives them a focus, fresh air and the opportunity to be part of a social group whilst developing a sense of ownership. They allow residents to socialise, make friends and become part of the wider community or enjoy solitude in a safe and attractive environment. Gardening is also recognised as being useful in stress relief and relaxation. Case Study: “The gardening project is very therapeutic for our service users’ recovery encouraging them to build social networks and build self-esteem. Mental Health Service users are often excluded from communities and this is a good method of getting them involved and feel valued in their community.” Project Worker, GAP Project, North Tyneside Case Study: “The allotment has given me a new interest, helped re-gain my confidence and make new friends.” Service User, Care and Support (Nomad E5) allotment, North Shields • Healthy Food - Growing your own vegetables and fruit is relatively cheap, and it is a distinct advantage for those who are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, have an interest in fresh or GM free food or would like to reduce food miles or their carbon footprint. Evidence strongly suggests that the type and amount of food we eat plays an important role in preventing the development of many chronic conditions including cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, dental disease and obesity. Allotments can be particularly valuable for people who don’t have a garden at home in helping them to achieve their horticultural ambitions. • Bringing communities together – Allotment growing attracts people from all backgrounds and can help promote community cohesion. ‘Growing in the Community’, LGA 2008 states that “allotments have a distinctive contribution to make to the achievement of social inclusion at local levels, as communities of interest bring in a wide range of people, including people from different gardening traditions and cultures, together for a common purpose.” Case Study: The Balkwell Allotment Site, North Shields has a community plot. Sub-plots have been allocated to young gardeners, local schools, a mental health group and individuals with specialised health needs. This model gives individuals an accessible growing space without the pressure to individually work a large plot. This group has collectively become an important part of a traditional site where all of the existing tenants offer advice, plants and assistance to the community plot users. They work mostly as individuals but come together to have on-site barbeques and they have worked together to install a poly tunnel, which they now share.