Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 19)
Allotments and Community Gardens
15.6. There is high demand for allotments in the borough with greater numbers of people seeking space to grow their own food produce and an increase in the use of community gardens. This is important as it provides a sustainable source of local produce and encourages healthier eating as well as physical activity.
Policy DLP65 Allotments and Community Gardens Comment
- The redevelopment of allotment sites and community gardens for other uses will not be allowed if a substantial part of the site is in use; or there is proven demand for allotments in the area.
- Redevelopment of an allotment site and community gardens will only be allowed if alternative allotment provision of the same or better quality and quantity is provided in the locality before the use of the existing site ceases.
- Planning permission will not be granted simply because an allotment or community garden site has been allowed to fall out of use and become derelict.
- Proposals for the provision of new allotment sites and community gardens will be permitted provided that they:
- are accessible by a variety of transport means, including walking and cycling as well as adequate parking.
- do not result in the loss of, or harm to a high quality nature conservation site.
- do not harm the visual amenity, landscape setting and appearance of the area.
- do not result in the loss of an area of importance and value for informal or formal recreation.
- do not detrimentally harm the amenity of adjacent residents and/or highway safety.
- safeguard and enhance any biodiversity features where possible to help support wildlife.
- On all allotment and community garden sites, the Council will encourage sustainable methods of power, the storage and re-use of water and on-site composting where appropriate.
Justification
15.7. Allotments and community gardens help encourage community engagement, provide educational benefits, and help support local biodiversity. By providing regular outdoor activity food growing can help to improve both physical and mental health and reduce health inequalities. It is therefore important for the Council to help protect existing allotment and community garden sites and encourage the provision of new sites where appropriate and in line with the policy requirements.
