Allotment strategy to be drawn up

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have agreed that a strategy be drawn up to meet the growing demand for allotments in the borough.
But the strategy is only likely to be implemented when finance is available.
Members of the executive board believe a fund of £250,000 would be a valuable investment into delivering the strategy – but this will have to be considered as part of the council’s overall budget setting process in the light of the need for financial restraint.
As part of the allotments strategy, the council will seek land suitable for conversion to allotments and explore the possibility of attracting funding from other sources such as neighbourhood boards, Golden Gates Housing and the private sector.
The possibility of requiring builders to make provision for allotments as part of new residential developments will also be explored.
Warrington currently has about 250 allotments and a waiting list of 454 – an increase of 31 over this time last year.
Coun Alan Litton, (pictured) the council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “We believe allotments are of great benefit too the community and that we should respond to the demand wherever we can.
“We may have to develop them in new ways. Traditionally, they have involved large areas of land. We may have to look at smaller plots and community gardens.
Coun Roy Smith, executive member for health and well being said: “It is not just a question of providing food for more healthy eating – gardening is itself a healthy occupation.”