Green Fingers Wanted – Draft Allotments Strategy

Although in theory, the allotments on Gamesley should have been the simplest to get in use, as they are proposed for council owned land. The reality due to issues with some of the lottery funding that helped create the Roman Gardens is slightly different and despite the efforts of all involved it’s taking some time to put right and get them ready for use.

Across Glossopdale, a similar process has been gone through on 2 other sites to help increase the number of allotments available locally and partly through the experience learned in doing this and partly to put together a clearer plan on how we can develop further allotment site across the High Peak, a draft allotments strategy has been put together.

The strategy which is now out for public consultation until Friday 2nd March has a number of aims which are :

• To increase the number of allotments
• Involve the community in developing and managing sites
• Ensure sites are run in an environmentally sustainable way

The strategy will also look to influence policies around the design of new housing developments, look at existing site to see that consideration is given to plot splitting and communal allotments to increase numbers, and that thought is given to converting under-used council land into allotments.

The strategy will also seek to develop closer partnerships with existing allotment associations, runners of self-managed sites and parish councils because to a certain extent the bulk of the work in Glossopdale over the last year or two has been with newer groups around the development of new sites.

However to make sure the strategy, can do what it’s supposed to we need your help (if you’re interested in allotments) to make sure the aims methods and process we are looking at will meet the need of folks around allotments.

To comment on the strategy, you can either download a copy by clicking below, visit the councils website at www.highpeak.gov.uk and click the “Allotment Consultation” link towards the foot of the home page. Alternatively, write to Philip Wiggans, Technical Officer, Buxton Town Hall, Derbyshire, SK17 6EL. Paper copies of the strategy can be viewed by visiting Glossop Municipal Buildings or Buxton Town Hall, and if you do decide to have a read let me know what you think – there’s a number of ways to get in touch which are all listed on the get in touch page