Allotment Manager

Submitted by: Alan Ward, BT

Describe your idea. How does it work and who does it help?

The health and well being of the UK population is a key concern for the government. Promotion of exercise and engendering a sense of community are both important to promoting this well being and often such a promotion will be realised through many modest or medium sized projects rather than sweeping grandiose schemes. This idea is one such example that might be a template for other similar community ideas.

The idea relates to the provision and improved utilisation of garden allotments. There are more people applying for allotments than local councils can provide. Very often people applying for an allotment do not realise the commitment that will be needed to maintain their plot of land; how much work is required and what skill and knowledge will be needed. This idea is about matching people from a waiting list with existing allotment holders, exploiting opportunities for experienced but perhaps elderly gardeners to share their knowledge and skill in return for assistance from new would-be allotment holders. A government mash-up combining information relevant to allotments, with appropriate regulation, community user group information, weather etc. and this 'marketplace' for help and assistance with existing allotments would be an appealing government support scheme that should offer excellent value for money. Adding the concept of a marketplace for allotment produce would also promote a Green agenda, encouraging the purchase of locally grown foodstuffs with its associated low carbon impact.

As mentioned this should be seen as a template idea that could spawn many others; farmers markets, allotment tending during holidays allotment demand tracking etc.

What information or services do you need?

Allotment availability, waiting list and current lessees, weather, relevant news and advice reports/feeds

Comments

[milk on 15 July 2009 at 04:42 AM]

of note; Edinburgh Council's Open Spaces Strategy;

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Environment/Planning_buildings_i_i_/Planning_hidden/Planning_policies/Supplementary_planning_guidance/CEC_edinburgh_open_space_audit__consultation_draft

and their map;

http://77.68.41.67/website/openspaceaudit/viewer.htm

[Michael Kelly on 21 February 2009 at 12:38 AM]

I think this project is better treated as a decentralised community resource governance initiative with a distributed, scalable, stateless architecture that makes full use of hyperlinks and the web (HTTP).

Each council could have its own resource governance 'node' within the system. A node would be modular and open source to allow for growth - you could possibly build in a democratic governance pattern to ensure the system is run fairly. All different nodes would communicate with one another; sharing resources and information.

I know how to build this if you want :)

[Susannah Robirosa on 04 December 2008 at 10:23 AM]

I am co-ordinating a new community garden project on Maidenhall Allotments, Ipswich IP2 8RE (part of the Town and Bridge Project). The idea is to get people gardening together, sharing and learning skills, developing new social networks, and the promotion of growing your own food, healthy eating, exercise and fun.

If this is any interest to your information exchange, please get in touch.

[Dan Zamoyski - Bakewell Area Gardeners Action Group on 28 November 2008 at 08:18 PM]

There are many good things to commend in this idea, but my research has found that Allotments growers are specifically forbidden from selling allotment produce on the open market; it is to be for own consumption, or given to friends, relatives etc. No doubt there are some people selling produce from their allotment, but to promote it as a national programme, government sponsored/supported/approved, may mean that it will be zapped by some part of government like HMRC. But don't let that stop you!