Page 7 - ALG Issue 4 2022

legal matters
Developing and securing the future of allotments
The work going on behind the scenes
The National Allotment Society have developed a specialist service for planners, councils and developers. This service will be of interest to architects, project managers, civil engineers, planners and staff working for councils as well as corporate developers.
Councils with responsibilities for allotments do have statutory duties to provide allotments, where there is a demand. An allotment inclusion within new developments would help to meet the council’s obligations as well as achieve planning priorities required for the sustainable development of local communities within the National Design Guide. Allotments are a sustainable,
low risk investment and, due to the fact historically, they have a long tradition of being community led. There should be few long-term commitments required of developers.
The National Allotment Society are
the leading national organisation with a wide range of specialist knowledge, covering the creation, design and management of allotments throughout England and Wales. The Society has been in existence since 1930 with an excellent network throughout the country.
We have increasingly been working with local planning authorities and developers who are proactively including allotments in and around new housing developments. Where well designed allotments are created, this can assist councils in meeting their statutory duties and help greatly with the management of the site for the future.
On offer within this service is a detailed pack along with:
• Design guidance, with examples to
suit all shapes, sizes and aesthetics • Examples of good practice
• Online meetings and site visits
• Policy frameworks
• Guidance on the transition process
to community led management structure, with bespoke advice for the proposed allotment site
It is possible for NAS to assist at any stage of a new allotment site; however, the earlier that we are contacted the more help and support we can provide.
The 21st century Allotments in New Developments pack consists of 4 sections:
• Planning and managing the new
allotment site
...the earlier that we are contacted the more help and support we can provide.
• Designing the new site
• Allotment design and national
policies
• FAQs and sources of information
and a glossary
Where members are aware of developments, please pass this information onto developers, planning departments and councils. The information that would be required initially would be:
• The development type (housing estate, village, industrial etc.)
• The status (e.g., pre-approval, approved or where construction is underway)
• Timescales
• The size and scope of the allotments
within the plans
• An outline of the support you believe
you need at the stage of contact
Liz Bunting, Legal and Operations Manager
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 7