Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood says she hopes a new report will improve allotment provision in Wales.
The AM for South Wales Central was the catalyst in persuading the Welsh Assembly’s Environment and Sustainability Committee to look into the issue after research by her office found evidence of long waiting lists for plots throughout the country.
The report, unveiled today, was the culmination of several months of hearings, gathering evidence from allotments holders, council officials and representatives from the National Trust.
Contained within the report are 16 recommendations which Ms Wood said she hopes will make a difference to the many aspiring allotment holders waiting for a chance to grown their own fruit and vegetables.
One of the key recommendations is that the Welsh Assembly Government “indicates how it will take into account the role of allotments in dealing with any potential issues arising from the Peak Oil.”
Peak oil is the point at which oil production reaches it maximum output, after which it enters terminal decline. Due to globalisation and our dependence on oil for the production of food and its distribution, food prices are predicted to escalate rapidly both in the UK and the rest of the world as a result of peak oil. Becoming more self-sufficient would be one way of insulating the people of Wales against food price hikes.
Ms Wood said: “In the first instance, the Committee said we need to have a clear picture of allotment provision across Wales, because at the moment we don’t know whether the limited available resources are being targeted in the right areas.
“The committee believes that this is an essential first step in addressing the problems in allotment provision.
“We have made recommendations to review the existing legislation with a view to bringing in new legislation which is relevant to Wales today.
“We know that any changes to the legislation will take time, so we have also asked for guidance to be issued in the meantime to establish what a reasonable time frame is for local authorities to respond to residents’ requests.
“We have also recommended to the Government that there needs to be clarification and simplification of the planning aspects of allotments. People should not have to rely on the provision in the law for the keeping of rabbits or chickens in a shed on their allotment, as the only way to make sure that they can have a shed!”
Ms Wood added: “I hope the recommendations from this report are taken forward by the Welsh Assembly Government after the summer recess as it can only promote a greener and healthier Wales.”
