Demand for Allotments
The public's demand for allotments has been in decline since its peak in the inter-war
to immediate
post war years. That is reflected in the reducing amount of land in Lincoln set aside for allotment
purposes.
Year Total Area of Allotments (Ha) per 1000 Population
1951 199 :. 2.80
1994 55 , 0.64
City of Lincoln Local Plan - Adopted August 1998 119
The main factors behind this decline have been:
more households living in homes with reasonably-sized gardens;
the improved availability and choice of food and relative reduction in price compared with
average incomes;
the increased variety of leisure pursuits available to people, fuelled by increased
personal mobility and by technology;
the demand for developable land.
Nevertheless, allotments still provide fresh food, recreation and enjoyment for a
considerable
number of people, particularly retired people and, to a lesser extent, those who are unemployed.
About 75% of the 1000 or so plots available to rent from the City Council were tenanted (though not
necessarily actively) at the end of 1994.
The City Council wishes to support the unique contribution which allotments can make
to the
enjoyment of urban living - especially for the older, more densely developed parts of Lincoln, where
garden land is at a premium and local allotments remain popular and well used. However, it also
accepts that the overall ^ demand for allotments may well continue its decline through the Plan
period. If that is the case, managing that decline will be a complex task involving full consultation
with allotment tenants, respecting the time and labour they have expended.
Change of Use from Allotment Land
Proposals for the development of allotment land, whether "statutory" or
not, should not, therefore,
be countenanced until a case for discontinuance has been established and the interests of
remaining tenants safeguarded.
Almost three-quarters of Lincoln's allotments are 'statutory' i.e. they occupy land
owned by the City
Council which was either purchased originally for, or subsequently appropriated to allotment use.
Wholly or partly discontinuing these requires the Secretary of State's approval under Section 8 of
the Allotments Act, 1925. Its effect is to prevent the taking of 'statutory' allotments for another
purpose without adequate provision being made for displaced tenants, unless such provision is
unnecessary or is not reasonably practicable.
The other allotments administered by the City Council are classed as "temporary1
and occupy
privately owned land which the Authority leases for allotment purposes. Where such arrangements
cease the City Council will seek to accommodate displaced tenants on statutory allotment land.
Proposals to change the use of privately owned allotment land, whether or not formerly let to the
City Council, will be approved only where they conform to Policy 51 and other relevant policies of
the Local Plan.
This Plan confirms or includes proposals to discontinue or reduce the size of several
allotments.
Details are set out in Appendix E and their alternative use indicated on the Proposals Map.
Development Ancillary to Allotments
Buildings on allotments (e.g. tool and storage sheds, greenhouses, shelters and pens
for livestock)
require planning permission. This will be granted provided the development does not harm local
amenities because of its appearance or through smell or other nuisance.
Investment In Allotments
Vandalism and theft are a problem on several allotments; some sites lack a water supply
and
some have poor land drainage. As and when funds permit, the City Council will, after consultation
with its tenants, take steps to address these issues.