Allotments
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.