Consultation on proposed new regulations for allotments

13 February 2020

A public consultation has started into proposed new regulations which are coming in for allotments.

The new management rules are being formulated as part of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, and they will cover a variety of topics and will regulate the allotments managed by the City Council.

The topics covered are allocation of allotments, rent, cultivation, maintenance of allotments by tenants, maintenance of allotment sites by the council, buildings and other structures, keeping of livestock including chickens and bees, landlord inspections and audits, buildings and other structures owned by the council, liability for less or for damage to property, access by persons other than tenants and domestic animals, acceptable use of allotments and allotment sites, sale of surplus produce, and micro allotments.

Aberdeen City Council operational delivery convener Councillor John Wheeler said: “Allotments can bring a variety of benefits, not just to individual plot holders, but also to their families, their communities and the environment, providing green spaces and are an important part of the city's communities.

“Our allotment renters do a fantastic job at growing their own fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs and we are happy to help them where we can. The proposed new regulations should help to ensure everyone knows how the allotments operation, and what’s expected.

“I’d encourage our allotment renters to read the proposed new regulations and take part in the consultation.”

There are several benefits to renting an allotment including growing your own organic produce, exercising and improving your physical well-being, relaxing and improving your mental well-being, learning and developing new skills, socialising with like-minded people, organising community activities, and helping to protect wildlife.

Aberdeen has 516 council-owned allotment plots located across 21 sites, and there are also a few sites in private ownership. The City Council allotment plots vary in size from approximately 300m2 for a full sized plot, 225m2 for a 3/4 size plot, 150m2 for a half sized plot, and 50m2 for a micro plot.

More information on the proposed new regulations can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/allotments, and copies of the proposed regulations are available at Marischal College Customer Service Centre, Broad Street, Aberdeen, from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

Views on the proposed regulations should be sent to Environmental Manager, Altens East Recycling & Resources Facility, Hareness Place, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3GX.

The consultation into the proposed new regulations ends on Wednesday 11 March 2020.