Allotments and the Community Empowerment Act

Overview

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee wants your views on the provision of allotments in Scotland.  

Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (“the Act”) aimed to improve the availability of allotments in Scotland and to reduce waiting times for allotments. It also required every local authority to prepare a food-growing strategy.  

This short inquiry will look at whether the Act has improved the availability of allotments and whether it has reduced the barriers to accessing allotments. 

It will also look at how communities are establishing allotments themselves and the community, health, educational and environmental benefits of allotments and community gardens. 

Why your views matter

Please take some time to share your views and experiences with us. We would love to hear from you if you have an allotment or if you're currently waiting for one. We'd also like to hear from councils, community bodies and any organisation/individual with an interest in local food growing. 

You don't need to answer every question, but please feel free to email us if you have additional information on this subject which you feel is relevant to our inquiry.