FACT SHEET March 2012 Survey results: there are at least 39.

29 hectares (97 acres) of allotments in South Somerset

Allotments are a vehicle for delivering on health, social and economic agendas promoting community cohesion, education, health and the environment. However, results of a recent survey in which 67 of 121 parish councils in South Somerset took part, suggest access to land is a barrier to peoples ability to grow food. 40 parishes provide 1518 allotment plots, 20 of which have waiting lists. 339 new allotment plots have been created in the last 2-3 years on 10.61 hectares of mainly privately owned land. Despite provision of more allotments in South Somerset than in Mendip and Sedgemoor combined, 277 people remain on allotment waiting lists. Latent demand suggests this number should be doubled. Two community gardens at Tatworth and St Marks Church in Yeovil provide growing space for 38 The law says if 6 people petition, parish councils are obliged to consider the provision of land. Location Abbas and Templecombe Barrington Bruton Brympton Buckland St Mary Castle Cary Chard Chilthorne Domer Combe St Nicholas Compton Dundon Crewkerne Curry Rivel Henstridge Hinton St George Huish Episcopi Ilchester Ilminster Kingsbury Episcopi Langport Lytes Cary Martock incl Bower Hinton Merriott Milborne Port Montacute North Cadbury Norton Sub Hamdon Odcombe Seavington St Mary Shepton Beauchamp Somerton South Petherton St Marks Community Garden, Yeovil Stoke Sub Hamdon Tatworth And Forton Tintinhull West Chinnock West Coker Wincanton Winsham Yeovil Without Yeovil Plots 16 7 20 47 6 34 169 10 32 26 41 39 32 no data 24 32 38 23 20 40 44 52 50 20 16 36 no data 30 18 55 46 15 59 23 13 19 9 28 7 22 300 1518 plots Area no data 0.07 0.31 0.76 no data 0.54 2.46 0.15 0.98 5.2 0.87 1.46 0.67 0.14 0.26 0.79 1.43 0.24 0.87 1.43 1.4 1.2 1.09 1.55 0.79 0.63 no data 0.32 0.05 2.02 0.66 0.1 1.6 0.75 0.22 1 0.11 0.44 0.17 0.05 6.51 39.29 hectares Waiting list Population 5 vacancies 1506 3 427 25 3000 6 4956 0 559 4 3000 40 14,000 5 3124 1 1400 2 710 45 6728 3 2000 8 1651 no data 404 2 1940 9 2170 16 4781 1.5 vacancies 1277 0 1067 2 8 4468 0 1648 7 2735 2 vacancies 680 1.5 vacancies 150 0 694 no data 730 no data 365 1.25 vacancies 700 8 4706 6 3200 0 no data 4 vacancies 2004 0 2500 3 vacancies 426 0 564 15 2060 26 4643 no data 749 8 7260 28 27,949 277 on waiting lists

Demand for allotment plots is growing nationally. South Somerset has both waiting lists and latent or hidden demand reflecting changing lifestyle priorities. People cite health considerations, improving diet, rising food prices, the superior taste, quality and freshness of home grown food, community building, environmental concerns and the therapeutic benefits of being active outside as reasons for needing access to land to grow food on. In recent years these factors have given allotment-gardening an increasingly wide appeal. With the addition of young growers, being trained now at many childrens centres and primary and secondary schools across the district, demand for land to grow food on is showing no signs of diminishing. Latent demand exists. Many do not appear on any waiting list because they dont know how plots are allocated, are not yet skilled growers, are disabled or feel its pointless to join long lists. Demand may also be masked as a result of sub-dividing plots into halves, quarters or less. Who is providing allotments in South Somerset? 13 allotments in South Somerset are owned by parish and town councils, but they are not the only provider. 6 are owned by charitable trusts and 4 by South Somerset District Council. The newest growing spaces 339 new allotment plots established in the last 2-3 years on 12 sites - are mainly leased from small private landowners. Modern allotment sites are self-managed by devolved allotment associations. Sometimes the lease for the land will be held by the parish council and then each plot holder has an annual rolling lease with the allotment association. Trinity College Cambridge, Wincanton Sports Ground, Somerset County Council, Dillington Estate, Duchy of Cornwall and the National Trust also provide allotments. Financial returns and fees A traditional full size plot commonly measures 250sq metres. A council owned full sized plot typically costs on average 25 per annum, while prices can range between 75 - 100 for a full size plot on a privately leased site,where demand is high. The trend in recent years - to manage waiting lists and to accommodate new growers who might be daunted by a full size plot has been to cut plots into smaller parcels. These days 25 30 110sq metre plots can be created on just under half a hectare of ground, equivalent to 1 acre. Parish councils told us that they: Need to see robust demand being on the list is not the same as having the time, energy, skills and commitment to get up and grow. Would-be allotmenteers need to show councillors they mean business. Are conducting parish plans. Consultations will enquire about interest in allotments. Register yours! Are willing to work with developers to request land for growing in new developments if there is demand. Landseekers told us that they want to: Be able to walk to a plot with adequate access and facilities for the range of users Know who owns convenient, suitable land in the right place and is willing to lease it at a fair rent? Know how to broker agreements to benefit and protect both parties. The National Society has model leases. Landowners told us they need: Growing groups to organise themselves before making an approach so that the motivation comes from within, rather than looking to the landowner to manage, which can be time consuming and frustrating To establish clear guidelines about procedures ie locks on gates, parking, use of chemicals, etc. and to build in reviews for guidelines to be updated as new issues arise before actual growing starts. Rents need to cover the costs of infrastructure improvements such as fencing, water and public liability insurance and include an income component. Enabling Policy context Much national and local policy supports the role of allotments including the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment; Core, Green Infrastructure, Open Space and Recreations Strategies. These mostly aspire to improve local diet, especially in deprived wards, increase the amount of food produced locally, to reduce obesity and increase physical activity levels. Opportunities with public and private landowners The emerging Local Development Framework is an opportunity to actively allocate new land for allotments. For villages where smaller scale housing needs to be allocated, parish councils could negotiate with developers who may have land which could be leased or sold for allotment use associated with housing schemes (either on or off site) utilising Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levies Visit www.somersetcommunityfood.org.uk for more information or call 01749 678770.