Demand for West Lothian allotments grows as plans for third site being developed

There are more than 70 allotments in Livingston and plans for a third site, in Boghall, Bathgate are being developed.

The Good Life has never been more attractive to the green-fingered in West Lothian and demand for allotment space is growing.

While the TV show is more than 50 years old the “grow your own” idea which first took root in the 1970s has bloomed.

There are more than 70 allotments in Livingston and plans for a third site, in Boghall, Bathgate are being developed.

The Council has continued to work with Bathgate Community Development Trust (BCDT) to develop an allotment site adjacent to Boghall Primary school. In the reporting period BCDT worked towards plans for an allotment of mixed plot sizes which could be managed by an independent allotment association.

BCDT are responsible for securing funding to enable the delivery of the new allotment. Funding from WLC was utilised for an initial ground investigation and report to ascertain the land was suitable for food growing. Currently BCDT is preparing to submit proposals for planning.

A council officer told the meeting that plans for the Boghall allotment had been submitted to the council and if approved the allotments could be operational by early next year.

A 2015 Holyrood Act requires the council to promote community food growing and the council supports local groups identifying sites.

A meeting of the Environment and Sustainability PDSP heard that there are currently 74 allotments on council sites at Killandean and Deansmeadow in Livingston.

Both allotment sites on council-owned land are leased to independent associations and were established prior to the introduction of the Act. These associations have maintained and administered their own waiting lists since their inception.

Killandean Community Allotment Association has 54 plots and reported 43 applicants on its waiting list. Turnover of plots remains limited.

Deansmeadow Allotments Association has reported to have 22 plots with 12 applicants on the waiting list.

Both groups are fully self-managing, with no direct involvement from the council in the day-to-day operation of sites or the administration of waiting lists. The council does not play a direct role in the development or construction of allotments.

The 2015 Community Empowerment Act requires local authorities to take reasonable steps to ensure that the number of applicants on waiting lists for Council-leased allotments does not exceed 50% of the total number of available plots.

When the council receives requests for allotment plots, applicants are directed in the first instance to Killandean Community Allotment Association and Deansmeadow Allotments Association. Applications for individual plots may be made by one or more individuals jointly; however, each application is recorded as a single request for the purposes of calculating waiting list numbers.

The council itself currently holds one applicant on its waiting list. At present, there is no dedicated level of investment to support the construction or direct management of allotments, and the waiting list is maintained primarily to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.

Should either Killandean or Deansmeadow Allotments Associations have no applicants on their waiting lists and a plot becomes available, the council may assist in allocating a plot from its own waiting list.

The council can support the allocation of plots where new allotment sites are developed by independent community groups.

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