Allotments scheme to go national

The Yorkshire Post reported last August that about 2,500 people in the city were on a waiting list for council-owned plots, a situation which sparked a call for action.

Members of Sheffield Council's Sustainable Communities Panel examined the issue and suggested the use of land left unused as a result of the economic downturn.

The panel, which is made up of members from business, the public sector and voluntary bodies, said huge tracts of the city were currently derelict and could be put to use.

It was suggested that owners of such land be made subject of Derelict Land Management Orders (DLMOs) which would force them to hand over the land for gardens.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and communities secretary John Denham have now announced a plan for so-called "meanwhile leases" which have the same effect.

Barbara Noack, regional chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Federation of Small Business and member of the Sheffield panel said work in the city had led to the announcement.

She added: "We are hoping the plans announced by the Government will stick to our original idea and make it easier to set up growing space on land that is currently unused.

"These could be sites that are ready for development – places like stalled building sites or locations waiting for planning permission."

Meanwhile leases have already been used in the retail sector nationwide to allow residents and organisations to use empty shops as meeting places for community groups.

The agreements for derelict land will be drawn up by the Development Trusts' Association, and will offer legal assurances to landowners whose plots are identified for use.

Coun Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield Council, said the 35-member Sustainable Communities Panel should be proud of the fact that their idea would make a national change.

He added: "This simple and brilliant idea was handed on a plate to the Government by people in Sheffield and I want to be first to congratulate them on that work.The idea actually came from a huge local public debate.

"It wasn't thought up in a Government department. Instead it was the result of Sheffield people taking part in their environment and wanting to stay in touch with where their food comes from.

"Its a good day when you see a group of people from your own city influence national policy."

Communities Secretary John Denham welcomed the input from Sheffield Council and said the Government had been forced to recognise a massive upturn in interest in "growing your own".

He added: "We are making it easier for community groups and keen gardeners to access hundreds of acres of unused land.

"This will mean communities can grow their own food while brightening up the neighbourhood by turning unloved spaces into fragrant herb gardens and abundant vegetable or flower beds.

"We also want to support local councils in meeting their duty to provide allotments and new guidance provides practical advice to local councils on how to get the best out of their allotments."

Environment Secretary and Leeds MP Hilary Benn added: "It doesn't matter if you have a large garden or if you live on the 20th floor – we can all have a slice of 'The Good Life'.

"Community food growing is a great way for people to get involved in the joys and trials of food production – and that is why we want to help more people grow their own and take it home."