January 12, 2016 11.51 am This story is over 98 months old

Lincoln councillors support proposed new sites for allotments in city

Allotments: City of Lincoln councillors have approved recommendations identifying potential sites for new allotments in the city.
The Ermine allotments site on Riseholme Road was sold for housing. Photo: Google Maps

City of Lincoln councillors have approved recommendations identifying potential sites for new allotments in the city.

Possible sites suggested by the council at a meeting of the Executive on Monday, January 11, included land on Melbourne Road in Birchwood, the former Wragby Road Allotment site, and an as yet unidentified area of land in the “south-west quadrant” area of the city.

At a meeting of the Executive on Monday, January 11, councillors were updated on the progress of the sale of the Ermine allotments on Riseholme Road.

The allotments have 21 plots, but only one is currently in use, and the council estimates that it would take £30,000 to bring them back to a useable condition.

Caroline Bird, Community Services Manager, said: “In July last year our Executive considered and agreed to pursue an application to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to de-statutorise the Ermine allotment site.

“As part of the application we have to identify where new allotments could be sited.

“The location of new sites is also dependent on a decision the committee will make on Monday, January 25 when it considers an application from the Birchwood BIG Local Project.

“Options exist for an allotment site in the Birchwood and/or Wragby Road areas.

“As a council we are committed to providing allotment services in the city. Not only do they enable people to grow their own produce, allotments are great communities in their own right, and they provide opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise.

“Any money from the sale of the Ermine allotment site will be reinvested into allotments in the city, guided by the Strategy the council has previously commissioned.”