Growing demand leads to allotment

Demand for allotments is on the rise after decades of post-war decline

Plans for the first council-run allotment in Falkirk for decades have been unveiled.

A new three-quarter acre site is being created at the Bantaskine Estate, near the Battle of Falkirk monument, and will feature up to 30 individual plots.

Falkirk Council said it was embarking on the pilot scheme and intended to test the feasibility of other sites.

Councillors said the move was in response to a huge demand for plots not seen in the area since World War II.

Allotments peaked in popularity in the 1940s in response to rationing during the war years as householders opted to grow their own food.

Their numbers declined as food became more accessible and the number of supermarkets increased.

'Wide policy'

In recent years the rise of the celebrity chef, soaring food prices and environmental concerns have all been credited for fuelling a renewed interest in home-grown produce.

The new allotment will be maintained by Falkirk's Allotment Society, who currently have about 75 locals waiting for a plot.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney said: "It's clear that there's a great deal of enthusiasm and demand for allotments in the Falkirk Council area.

"Allotments were well used in the past with as many as five sites across the council area in Falkirk, Bo'ness and Denny.

"The results of the pilot will determine the future of allotments in the area and a possible council-wide policy."

The authority has also agreed to enter talks with NHS Forth Valley about the possible creation of an allotment at the former RSNH site.