Allotments in line for £1m of improvements

Jan 2 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Allotments in line for £1m of improvements

GARDENERS could benefit from £1m of investment.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet is considering a three-year improvement plan for allotments across the district after consulting plot-holders.

The study showed problems with security. Of 727 people questioned, 51% said they had experienced vandalism and 43% theft.

Some 25% of plot-holders rated the security of their allotment as poor, with another 20% describing it as non-existent.

Green councillors have asked the ruling Conservatives to spend £1m over the next three years improving allotments.

Clr Julie Stewart-Turner said: “Allotments have been under-funded for many years and some of them have fallen into disrepair. We’ve talked to lots of plot-holders about what they need and many of them believe their allotments need improved security and drainage.”

The Newsome Green added that the picture across Kirklees was mixed.

She said: “There are allotments like the ones in Woodhead Road in Lockwood and Hangingstone Road, Berry Brow, that are fully-let and really good. But then there are allotments like Ashenhurst where 25 of the 28 plots can’t be used because of poor security and drainage.”