Allotments

Debate between Baroness Williams of Trafford and Baroness Sharples

Wednesday 3rd December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sharples]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage local authorities to provide more allotments.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford (Con)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for her enthusiasm and persistence in this area. It is for local authorities to provide allotments. Through the community rights, government has helped communities to protect allotments; for example, more than 20% of the first 50 neighbourhood plans promote allotments. I commend the work of organisations such as the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the National Allotment Society, which promote allotments.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

Is my noble friend aware that a lot of young people with families are looking for allotments, which are not available to them? Is she further aware that one local planning authority has prevaricated for more than 19 years about providing a suitable area for potential allotment holders?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, it may help my noble friend to know that waiting lists have come down, from 57 people waiting for every 100 plots two years ago to 52 people waiting for every 100 plots—