Allotments

Local authorities are required by legislation to provide allotment gardens for the production of food and flowers. The Allotments Acts of Parliament prescribe the uses that allotments land can be put to and protects allotments land, and the tenants' rights

Walsall council currently provides 1434 allotment plots on 37 sites in the borough. An average sized plot (approximately 320 square metres) costs around £11.00 per year to rent (a 50% concession applies for those people receiving qualifying benefit), with additional water charges averaging £6.00 per plot. Find your nearest allotment using our interactive mapping system Walsall Maps

Allotments have far wider benefits than simply providing a place to grow fresh food. The physical and mental health stimulated by growing, and social activities are widely recognised. They are a green haven for wildlife in urban areas providing habitat for many species. Allotments have environmental and economic affects by reducing transportation of foods from far and wide, and allowing gardeners to reduce their spending on fruit and vegetables.

Walsall Council initiated a program of local management of allotments in 1995 when, after consultation with local, national and governmental interested parties. Five areas of the six identified areas currently act as allotments local management associations (LMA), having adopted a constitution and written management arrangements.

Management by elected representatives from the tenants of each site to a local management committee has allowed greater access to information and services to the facility users and has encouraged wider understanding by the association tenants of the issues involved with allotment management.

In July 2007 the council approved the Allotments Strategy 2007–2012 (PDF 102KB) which sets out the way forward for allotments in the borough by providing a framework for consultation and implementation in partnership with the allotment holders representatives.

Links

The following websites provide more information for allotment holders

Apendices

Adobe PDF

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Contact us

If you are interested in taking up an allotment please contact:

Allotments Officer
Leisure, culture and lifelong learning
12th floor Tameway Tower
48 Bridge Street
Walsall
WS1 1JZ

Telephone 01922 653167
Fax 01922 724065
Email allotments@walsall.gov.uk

You can use our online contact form for general enquiries, compliments and complaints.

This page was last updated on 28 August 2008