Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what statutory duty local authorities have to provide additional allotments.

The Government recognises through our National Planning Policy Framework the important role that allotments can provide in enabling and supporting healthy lifestyles within our communities. The Framework is clear that local planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space and opportunities for new provision, which can include allotments, and their plans should then seek to accommodate this.

Our National Model Design Code states that as part of open space design for large developments there should be the consideration of allotments and community growing projects for food production, learning and community engagement.

I refer the Hon Member to published guidance on the statutory and policy criteria councils must meet in order to obtain the Secretary of State's consent to dispose of allotment land.

Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 places a duty on district and parish councils to provide allotments where they perceive there is a demand for them.