Hyndburn Council allotment trend keeps growing (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hyndburn Council allotment trend keeps growing

2:30pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Emma Cruces, Reporter

HUNDREDS of new allotment tenancies have been created in Hyndburn – which last year had a three-year waiting list.

Three hundred tenancies have been created, bringing the total from 620 plots to more than 900.

The news comes after a Hyndburn Council scheme to free up underused and overgrown plots to ease an extensive waiting list.

Just last year the list saw 300 people waiting up to three years for a plot.

The council launched a £300,000 investment programme in allotments, to be implemented over five years in December, but already have been able to get hundreds of new people started on growing their own food.

Ian Hodgson, who oversees allotments for environmental charity Prospects, said: “It’s fantastic because people in Hyndburn have always been willing and now they are able to get their hands on a plot and get started.

“I am seeing so many newcomers coming to teaching sessions to learn tips. You can see the enthusiasm on people’s faces, which is quite infectious.”

Coun Ciaran Wells, portfolio holder for allotments, said: “It is brilliant news, and while we still have a way to go, we are seeing results and getting people on to sites.

“It’s a very healthy way to live and we absolutely encourage it. We are also sending out a survey to the allotments to see what we can do better.”

The scheme saw the council seize plots from unauthorised tenants, restoring overgrown plots and breaking up oversized plots into manageable sizes. More raised beds were also created for people with limited mobility.