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Local Government Committee, 13 Feb 2001

13 Feb 2001 · S1 · Local Government Committee

Item of business

Allotments Inquiry

Arthur Bell: Watch on SPTV

There should be much greater marketing of the availability of allotments. I am certain that there are tens of thousands of people living in tower blocks or tenements who would enjoy the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables, but who do not know how to go about it because nobody says that plots are available. In a city where 40 per cent of allotments are empty, they are empty only because nobody is telling the people who would actually like to work those allotments how they can get an allotment. Marketing costs would be minimal; there would be no need for television advertising. All that is needed is a simple notice saying, "We have three plots available at the moment. Please come and join us." Social inclusion is of considerable importance. Allotments tended originally to be places where people who had limited incomes were able to grow food for their own families. That still applies. There are areas in Scotland where there is considerable food poverty. Allotment facilities could be developed for people in those areas, and local authorities could target certain communities, building or opening up allotments to enable many people who are buying pre-packaged supermarket products with a very high added value to grow their own food. It is absolutely nuts that a housewife who does not have a lot of money should be buying pre-washed and pre-peeled carrots in a little cellophane bag, which have been flown in from Zimbabwe. Scotland has a good climate and good soil for growing fruit and vegetables. Growing our own food could be considerably expanded through proper targeting by local authorities. There could be an expansion through linking the development of allotments to severe social problems. I am thinking of community service. People could be, if you like, sentenced to developing new allotment grounds, thereby getting involved in the positive aspects of gardening. It is no surprise that gardening is Britain's biggest hobby, yet millions of people do not have the opportunity to do it. Getting young people in at an early age to discover how to grow fruit and vegetables would be extremely educational and would involve many youngsters in very positive work. I sit in this chariot of fire—my wheelchair. I know that very few allotment plots around the country are suitable for people with disabilities. I do not see why youngsters could not be sent to create plots for people with disabilities, who could then get out of the entrapment of their own house to somewhere where they could grow their own fruit and vegetables, improving their diet and allowing them to mix socially in the community. The environmental aspect is also important. Developing allotments can encourage a greening of the community. Many local authorities—with all due respect to them—think that vast slabs of grass are greening the environment. However, allotments that are hedged in for security can encourage the growth of wildlife. There could be secure play areas within those allotment areas, so that parents who are growing fruit and vegetables could bring their kids, who would then be encouraged to study the wildlife and get involved in every aspect of growing food and having a better diet.

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Local Government Committee, 13 Feb 2001

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