Call for report into number of empty allotments in Brighton

Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth asked Brighton and Hove City Council for the report because there is an extensive waiting list of almost 2,500 and a large number of apparently vacant plots.

Cllr Nemeth, whose partner has an allotment, wanted to know why meetings between Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation and other key stakeholder groups had stopped and details of how the allotment strategy was being carried out.

• READ MORE: Allotment plots are 'lying empty despite a long waiting list'

He said: “Allotments have been a wonderful escape for many during the Covid crisis but we can’t help but feel that the opportunity has been lost to propel the whole allotment service into its next exciting stage of development at a time when most indoor activities became unsuitable.

“The goodwill was there and still is. Demand is up. Volunteers are at the ready. Site reps are calling out for council backing.

“Members and officers of Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation, which does a wonderful job in representing the hopes and dreams of allotment holders, are raring to go.

“But it feels as though impetus on the council side has waned, and the opportunity to tap into the waiting volunteer gardener army is yet to be grasped.”

Fellow Conservative councillor Dee Simson backed him, saying a change in council systems had led to more vacant plots.

There are said to be 180 vacant plots in the city

She said: “The failure to let these allotments is costing the council money in letting fees, frustrating those on the waiting list and also causing upset for allotment holders, who see patches becoming rather wild and unkempt.

“Residents waiting for an allotment pay a fee to go on the waiting list but still never receive a holding to work on. They are left on the waiting list, not knowing how many are before them.”

A briefing sheet was supplied to councillors said 11 allotment sites had no vacancies compared with 14 sites with vacancies where plot viewings were being organised. A further 11 had vacancies but viewings had not yet been arranged.

In all, there are 3,000 plots across the 36 sites, with 50 volunteers managing the various locations – and 180 vacant plots.

• READ MORE: 'Forget nuclear weapons, fix the allotment issues now'

A report on allotments will be presented to a meeting of the environment, committee although no date was set.

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