Alyth Allotments for All, the volunteer group working to create new allotments space in Alyth, has completed its careful analysis of the extensive public consultations carried out on the project since last year. The group now plans to finalise discussions with landowners early next month with a view to announcing the final choice of site before the end of the year.
For some years, there have been discussions of having a larger allotment site in Alyth to benefit the community, and in 2022 a volunteer group began exploring the options for this, following feedback from the Community Action Planning Process that reiterated the general desire for allotments (including two mentions in the 2009 Alyth 2020 report). The group began inviting comments and suggestions in the Spring of 2022, and it soon became clear that there is overwhelming support in Alyth for the value of allotments and growing your own food, not only to ensure food security but also for positive mental health.
Building on this, the Allotments for All (AFA) working group looked around Alyth at potential sites and continued collecting feedback and comments on the general idea of new allotments. This culminated in a busy Alyth Allotments Public Consultation event on 19th June 2023 at which four possible sites were presented to the community (after initial very tentative discussions with landowners). The four sites were: the Millhaugh part of Alyth Den; a triangular piece of unused farmland on Isla Road; a field adjacent to Jubilee Park; and part of the former golf course at the edge of Pitcrocknie village.
Since the consultation event, the volunteer committee has been collating all responses, comments and feedback received over the past 16 months and especially at and after the public event on 19th June this year. Every response received in any form has been carefully considered.
A number of comments regarding garden sharing were noted and AFA have found that there are already UK-wide schemes available online for anyone to join: Lend and Tend https://www.lendandtend.com and also AllotMe https://www.app.allotme.co.uk
Meanwhile, AFA hope to be in final discussion with landowners in early October and will report back on progress made. Where concerns have been voiced that can be accommodated AFA will be raising them with landowners. Sites may be eliminated as more is learned about their suitability, availability and accessibility. The next actions for this work are to make a final choice on the site based on all the feedback received thus far, publicise that selection via social media, websites, ADT and ACC, and then form a larger governing committee and begin to make this site a reality. NB: AFA is a committee of volunteers donating their time and energy to creating a new resource for Alyth so the work proceeds as their time allows.
Alyth Allotments Public Consultation Event (detailed summary)
On 19th June 2023, 71 people attended the public consultation event in Alyth Town Hall. 38 comments sheets were filled in and 9 comments were left on the comments board.
Since that date the public have been invited (via social media and the Alyth Voice) to email or leave comments within boxes at the co-op and the library. 11 further comments were received and 10 emails.
Four sites were proposed (after initial discussion with landowners) as the possible location of allotments in various parts of Alyth: the Millhaugh part of Alyth Den; a triangular piece of unused farmland on Isla Road; a field adjacent to Jubilee Park; and part of the former golf course at the edge of Pitcrocknie village.
Feedback received showed the various sites all had positive and negative aspects (see below), whilst some people chose their preferred location and others made more general comments:
