Shaping A New Allotment Policy For Highland

1st July 2009

The Highland Council is seeking the views of the public in shaping its policy on allotment gardening.

The Council is keen to promote allotments and the purpose of the policy is to establish the principles which will guide its partnership with community groups and other organisations in establishing and managing allotments.

In order to promote an inclusive policy and to encourage widespread involvement in allotment gardening, the Council proposes to consider interest from any individual or family resident in the Council area; community groups; voluntary sector organisations and charities as well as statutory organisations (eg schools, health centres, etc).

Whilst allotments may not be used for commercial purposes, allotments legislation allows for the selling of surplus produce from allotment gardens. The Council will consider use of it's powers to advance wellbeing, embodied in the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, to facilitate use of allotments for community-based food production projects where this is seen to benefit the wellbeing of the community.

Councillor Isobel MacCallum, Chairman of the Council's Land Environment and Sustainable Strategy Group,, said: "Allotment gardening offers many benefits to individuals, families and communities, including health and wellbeing benefits, an opportunity to exchange information and very local food."

Consultation responses are invited before the deadline of Friday 11 September, in writing to Keith Walker, Policy Officer, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX or by email to keith.walker[AT]highland.gov.uk