A brief update on allotments provision and the progress on developing an allotments strategy in the High Peak to the community select committee meeting on Monday 15th July 2013

1. HPBC Allotments Provision
Update to members July 2013

2. Allotments Strategy
• The allotments strategy was last considered
by the Community Select Committee in May
2012
• At that time concerns were raised around :
– Specific targets for delivery;
– The identification of how those targets can be achieved;
– The development of smaller schemes such as planters;
– A need to ensure that all comments received have been responded
to.

3. Allotments Strategy
• Following on from the last report, progress has been made
towards addressing the issues raised, and dependent on
planning approval being granted for the two proposed new
sites, we expect to be in a position to identify clear targets
in terms of number of additional plots and timescales in an
updated strategy.
• Further consultation is been carried out on an updated
strategy with allotment associations and other stakeholders
and following this the updated High Peak Allotment
Strategy and Action Plan will be presented to the next
Community Select Committee.

4. Current Position / Progress
New allotment sites established
• Two new allotment sites have been established
– St Mary’s Road Glossop - Glossopdale Action for Allotments
(GAFA)
– Salisbury Street Hadfield. - Dig Hadfield
– Both sites are self managed by GAFA and Dig Hadfield
allotment groups, and are fully occupied, providing an
additional 20 plots.
Potential additional allotment sites identified
• Two potential new sites have been identified in the
Glossopdale area.

5. Gamesley
Land off Melandra Castle Road
• The total area of this site is 0.5 h/a,
however the entire site may not be
suitable for cultivation. If approval
is given for the development of this
site it is anticipated that a minimum
of 13 half plots would be
established, although if the entire
site can be fully utilised this site
could provide approximately 26 half
plots.

6. Glossop
Land off Dinting Lane
• Although the total area of this site
is 3.2 h/a not all the land within the
site may be suitable for cultivation.
It is however estimated that
allowing for car parking provision
and a possible orchard area the
site could provide up to 100 half
size (150m2) plots. If approval is
given for the development of this
site it is anticipated that the site
would be developed in phases, as
required to meet community
needs.

7. Review of waiting lists
• The number of people currently on the
Council’s waiting list for Jordan Street
Allotment site (Glossop) is 89 and the number
of people on the waiting list for Cunningdale
Allotment site (Buxton) 40
• In addition to this Glossopdale Action for
Allotments identified that there are 257
people waiting for allotments in the
Glossopdale area (GAFA waiting list survey
May 2012).

8. Ensuring full utilisation of existing
sites
• Splitting of plots
– As opportunities arise (e.g. change of tenant) any full size plots at both the
Cunningdale and Jordan Street sites are being split to create additional
plots. Over the past year this has provided 6 additional half size plots.
• Clearance work
– Work has begun at Cunningdale allotment site, clearing currently unused
areas within the site. This will to allow these areas to be cultivated as new
additional plots. The number of additional plots created will be dependent
on the condition of the ground once the clearance work is completed. But it
is anticipated that approx 6 additional plots will be gained.
– At the Jordan Street site a number of improvements have been carried out
to improve the site conditions such as, tree pruning and felling, the removal
of saplings, the installation of new perimeter fencing, and working with plot
holders, a general clean up of the site has been undertaken.

9. Allotment Tenants Handbook
• An Allotment Tenant's
Handbook has been
produced to assist
new and existing
allotment tenants in
the management of
their plots and to
improve the overall
management of sites.

10. Glossopdale Allotment Forum
• The Allotment forum meetings continue
to be important and have been valuable
in developing an effective partnership
with both GAFA and Dig Hadfield
allotment groups.