Call to promote inner-city allotments

Carlton Smith, the chief executive of Bradford Community Environment Project, spoke to the Telegraph and Argus about the need for the Council to do more to encourage people to grow their own food in inner city areas.

On 17th October Bradford Council's Regeneration and Improvement Committee met to discuss a report about allotments in Bradford.

Jane Robinson attended the meeting to put BCEP's point of view.  Allotments can be catalysts for regeneration and community cohesion.  BCEP currently holds 7 plots across 3 different sites in the city, and shares another 5 plots with partner organisations.  We have brought over 500 people onto these allotment plots during the last 12 months to work, learn about growing food and enjoy themselves.  While recognising the challenge the Council faces of managing allotments with limited budgets, BCEP wants every allotment to be tenanted, and does not want to see plots in the spiral of decline: unpublicised, unwanted, vandalised, left derelict and finally sold off.

Following a brisk discussion at the meeting, it was agreed that a working group would be set up comprising councillors, the Allotments Officer and some of those present (hopefully including BCEP!) to consider positive ways forward.  This group will report to the same Committee before the end of the Council year.

If anyone wants to see Jane's response to the Council report, email her on jane@bcep.org.uk