The Right to Grow and the Role of Allotments

Allotments are far more than pieces of land where vegetables are grown. They are thriving communities, centres of learning, places of wellbeing and an important part of our national heritage. They bring together people of all ages and backgrounds, providing opportunities to learn new skills, improve health, support wildlife and build lasting friendships.

Perhaps most importantly, statutory allotments are protected in law.

This legal protection gives plot holders confidence that the time, effort and money they invest in improving their plots is worthwhile. Establishing productive soil, planting fruit trees, building compost systems and creating wildlife habitats are all long-term commitments that benefit from the security that statutory allotments provide.

Without that protection, growers may be less willing to make those investments, and communities can lose valuable growing spaces far too easily.

The National Allotment Society believes that increasing access to growing spaces should not be viewed as an either/or choice.

Community gardens, orchards, edible landscapes, school gardens, rooftop growing projects and other innovative spaces all have an important role to play. They can introduce new audiences to growing, improve access in urban areas and strengthen local communities.

At the same time, they should complement—not replace—the provision of statutory allotments.

Waiting lists across the country continue to demonstrate the demand for secure, individual growing spaces. Many people want the opportunity to cultivate a plot over many years, developing their skills and creating productive gardens that contribute to local food production.

The answer is therefore not fewer allotments or weaker protection, but more opportunities to grow in a variety of ways.

As interest in home-grown food continues to increase, we believe the UK needs a long-term strategy that:

• Protects existing statutory allotments.
• Creates new statutory allotments where demand exists.
• Encourages community gardens and other shared growing spaces.
• Includes food-growing opportunities within new housing developments.
• Recognises growing spaces as essential green infrastructure that supports health, biodiversity, climate resilience and local food production.

This balanced approach would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to grow while safeguarding the protected allotment network that has served communities for generations.

Working towards the same goal

Ultimately, the National Allotment Society and the Right to Grow movement share a common ambition: helping more people experience the benefits of growing their own food.

By protecting statutory allotments while also expanding other forms of community growing, we can create a stronger, more resilient network of growing spaces that benefits individuals, communities and the environment alike.

The future of growing should not be about choosing between allotments and other community spaces. It should be about ensuring there are enough opportunities for everyone to get involved, while protecting the allotments that remain the cornerstone of community food growing across England and Wales.

Together, we can grow more food, support healthier communities and ensure that future generations enjoy the same opportunities to cultivate, learn and thrive.

The challenge isn't choosing between allotments and other growing spaces—it's ensuring we have enough of both.

By protecting our statutory allotments, creating new sites where they are needed, and embracing community gardens, school growing projects and other innovative spaces, we can give more people than ever before the opportunity to grow their own food.

The National Allotment Society believes this is the future of food growing: protecting what works, embracing new ideas and ensuring that every generation has the chance to discover the life-changing benefits of growing their own.