Hundreds of allotments in Brighton and Hove empty

Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation said the massive demand for plots, as well as the benefits they bring, means more resources should be put towards filling empty ones.

Last July, The Argus reported there were 180 vacant plots in the city with a waiting list of almost 2,500 at that time. Joining the waiting list costs £17.

That number has grown, with 224 empty plots in the city as of April 14.

The figure is slightly down from 249 in December, although there is still a waiting list of more than 2,700 people.

There are currently 224 empty plots in the city

Mark Carroll is chairman of Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation. He has owned a plot in Roedale Valley near Ditchling Road, Brighton, for the last 22 years and would like to see empty plots filled at a faster pace.

The 54-year-old said: “There is a massive demand in the city for allotments, they bring huge benefits to plot holders and wider communities.

“The more efficiently we run them, the more we can unlock those benefits they bring. With 2,785 people on the waiting list, it shows how popular they are, how many people want them and how much more effort the council needs to put in to free up those plots that are vacant and unused.

Cllr Anne Meadows with allotment holders

“The speed that is being done at the moment is not quite as fast as we want it to be.

“Allotments have so many benefits. They help capture carbon, they help with biodiversity with pollinators and the mental health element in terms of loneliness.”

Councillor Robert Nemeth started a notice of motion last July for clarity on the allotment situation.

He said: "It is so wrong that hundreds of plots are untenanted and that a similar amount are unmaintained – all against a backdrop of a waiting list in the thousands. 

"My hope is that new allotments can even be built, rather than existing ones be considered for development as has been the concern in recent years.”

Brighton and Hove City Council has let 80 plots in the city this year so far.

Jamie Lloyd, deputy chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said its current number of vacant plots, around eight per cent, was "in line with the national average".

There are 2,910 plots in the city

Councillor Lloyd said: “We want as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of having an allotment. 

“I have worked closely with the Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation to address their concerns as much as possible. 

"Allotments are not just about healthy food. They are also about becoming more physically active, improving mental health and reconnecting with nature. 

“Our percentage of vacant plots is very much in line with the national average. But we do want to reduce the number of vacant plots significantly. 

The council allows tenants 28 days to clear any items or plants, which means vacant plots are not immediately reallocated

“The figures tend to be higher in the winter as we often need to prepare plots so that they can be let in spring/early summer.  

“We’ve had some tenants relinquishing plots over the winter. Some tenants, volunteers and allotment staff have also been affected by Covid, which has led to some delays.  

“We allow tenants 28 days to clear any items or plants, which means vacant plots are not immediately reallocated.  

“We’ve let 80 plots so far this year. The total number of vacant plots is currently 224 – down from 249 in December.  

“Thanks in part to the great contribution our volunteer site reps make helping with applications and viewings, as well as the arrival of spring, we expect this number to go down considerably in the next few weeks.”