July 7, 2015 5.12 pm This story is over 104 months old

Council considers sale of Lincoln Ermine allotments site

Sale on the cards: An under-used allotments site in Lincoln is likely to be sold under city council plans to re-allocate investment into the city’s wider allotments service.
The Ermine allotments site on Riseholme Road was sold for housing. Photo: Google Maps

An under-used allotments site in Lincoln is likely to be sold under city council plans to re-allocate investment into the city’s wider allotments service.

The City of Lincoln Council runs 18 allotment sites throughout the city and has recently carried out a review into their use.

The review has resulted in a new strategy which considers the suitability of the locations of sites, and made recommendations for improvements in the way the service is run.

One of the sites, Ermine on Riseholme Road, had 21 plots, but only one of them is used.

At its meeting on Monday, July 13 the council’s Executive will consider a recommendation to de-statutorise the site and, subject to permission, sell the plots.

Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene, said: “The council recognises how important allotments are, which is why it undertook a thorough strategic review of the service.

“If the recommendation is given approval it will give us the chance to make a significant investment back into our allotments, and make the improvements identified in the strategy.

“As well as having low usage the Ermine site currently has problems with such as access, and parking.

“There are other sites within a ten-minute walk from these plots that are significantly better equipped to accommodate potential new tenants.

“In pursuit of the aims of the strategy we will be looking to improve existing sites and considering if it is appropriate to develop new. Any new plots created under the strategy will be established after appropriate consultations.”

Anyone who would like to find out more about renting an allotment can do so on the council’s website.

The council’s 18 allotment sites are:

  • Boultham Glebe
  • Boultham Park
  • Burton Ridge
  • Canwick Hill
  • Clarence Street A
  • Clarence Street B
  • Ermine
  • Greenbank Drive
  • Hykeham Road
  • Kingsway
  • Long Leys
  • Simons Hill
  • Sincil Bank
  • South Common
  • St Botolphs Crescent
  • Tritton Road
  • Wragby Road
  • Yarborough Crescent