Scotland: Aberdeen council hopes to build on growing popularity of allotments
“We are very pleased and encouraged by the increase in popularity of allotments and community growing across the city. We want to see more people outdoors and growing their own food.”
By Emma Morrice
Evening Express
08/02/2021
Excerpt:
A freedom of information request has shown that almost 700 people were registered on Aberdeen City Council’s allotment waiting list as of November last year.
It comes after a total of 520 plots across the city are currently held, with the most held at Slopefield, where there is 112, and at Garthdee Field, where there is 110, followed by 33 at Greyhope Road.
As of November 27, there was 695 applicants on the waiting list, compared with 517 on March 31 and 315 on January 31, 2020.
On January 1 2019 there was 166 people on the waiting list, and on August 10 2018, there was 59 people on the list.
Increasing the numbers of people growing their own food in the city is one of the local authority’s aims, and forms part of its Food Growing Strategy.
Approved in February last year, the plan runs until 2026 and sets out a clear vision for the future of food growing in the city.
It aims to ensure everyone who wants to has access to food-growing opportunities, people are aware of the benefits and opportunities for local food growing, and everyone understands the link between healthy people, good, local food and a high-quality environment.
