Allotment gardening offers the benefit of a year-round healthy lifestyle that is active, sustainable and socially inclusive – and it also contributes to biodiversity.
The feedback from the public consultation has been evaluated, and the Community Food Growing Strategy was approved on 16th April 2020. The Community Food Growing Strategy contains a vision “To encourage and enable people in our community who wish to grow their own food, by providing information on potential community food growing spaces, advice and guidance.”
The strategy was developed in line with the Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, and if it is approved (due in April 2020) it will provide advice and guidance for those individuals and community groups who wish to grow their own food, as well as information on potential community food growing spaces.
Interested in creating an allotment?
We are keen where possible to help communities add to the number of allotment sites in Argyll and Bute.
A map of known community food growing areas is available here:
Community food growing spaces in Argyll and Bute
If enough people register their interest in having an allotment in an area where the numbers are viable – and where suitable land can be found within the Argyll and Bute Council estate that meets the criteria of being local, accessible and fit for purpose – the Council will provide advice and guidance in order to help explore the options. Any allotments eventually created by this process would be managed and maintained by the community and not by Argyll and Bute Council.
If you would like to register interest in being part of the creation of an allotment please complete the online form. The completed form will ask you:
- The name of the applicant(s).
- The applicant(s) address, phone number and e-mail address.
- Administrative Area the applicant(s) lives in.
- Size of allotment requested, if specified.
- Special requirements.
Alternatively, send your contact details, including name, address, contact telephone number and the area you wish to be added to areagovernance@argyll-bute.gov.uk.
New allotments
Argyll and Bute Council is committed to working with all stakeholders in order to increase the provision of allotments in line with demand across the area.
We are keen to add to the number of allotment sites in Argyll and Bute. If you are a private landowner and would like to create allotments on your land we are happy to work with you.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss creating allotments on your land.
Contact Details
For further information please contact Stuart McLean, Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, Helensburgh. 01436 658717.
Further information
Please read our Community Food Growing Leaflet for some guidance on setting up a community growing space.
Advisory organisations
- Social Farms & Gardens - Email: admin@farmgarden.org.uk
- Community Food and Health (Scotland) or CFHS
- Trellis - as with all effective health interventions, therapeutic gardening is an evidence-based practice
- The Royal Horticultural Society are driven by a sheer love of plants and the belief that gardeners make the world a better place - this underpins all we do
- Funding opportunities: Access the Argyll and Bute Grants and Funding section for further information
- Argyll College UHI