Demand for plots remains high whilst pressure grows on allotment services to be cost neutral, APSE survey finds

A survey of local authority allotment services, conducted by the APSE, finds that over two-thirds of authorities report an average waiting time of more than 18 months, a slight drop from 2023.

The survey reveals that less than a quarter (23%) of respondents have increased costs to rent a plot above the standard level of inflation in the last two years. For those authorities who have increased prices beyond inflation, there has been a 12% increase on last year in those reporting a cost neutral service.

Other key findings

Of the local authorities surveyed:

• 53% have more than 20 allotment sites in their authority, an 11% increase on 2023.
• 53% plan to increase the number of allotments in their authority.
• 73% have reduced the size of standard plots to create smaller-sized plots.
• 46% stated that they have an allotments strategy. Of the 54% that do not have a strategy in place, almost half stated that the council is planning to develop one within the next two years.
• 64% include specific policies as to the protection/provision of allotment sites in their local plans, a 14% increase on the figure reported in 2023.
• 66% offer concessionary prices.
• 70% promote planting pollinator-friendly species at their sites, a 14% increase on 2023. 75% are setting areas aside for wildlife with 45% promoting native crops.

Speaking about the findings, Matt Ellis, APSE Principal Advisor, said:

“APSE has long acknowledged and advocated for allotments to be considered vital components of a sustainable and resilient environment. One can now see this consideration reflected in the environmental programmes of all four UK administrations. In the wake of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, one can expect enormous pressure to be exerted on councils to convert allotment land for more profitable uses, like housing or commercial development. Though it is vital we alleviate the acute housing pressures being felt across the UK, it is important that existing allotment sites are protected from development unless improved alternative provision is made. Failure to do so risks jeopardising the health and wellbeing of our local communities, as well as national and local climate change mitigation targets.”

A full analysis of APSE’s State of the Market Survey on Local Authority Allotment Services 2024 can be viewed online here.

Report author and APSE Principal Advisor, Matt Ellis, will be presenting the findings of the survey at an online meeting during National Allotments Week on Thursday 15 August. APSE member councils can sign up for the event for free. Click here to reserve your place.

ENDS

• The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) is a not-for-profit local government body working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services and operates one of the UK’s largest research programmes in local government policy and frontline service delivery matters.
• For further press enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact APSE Communications Officer George Barton at [email protected].