The intriguing idea of digging our way out of the recession was mooted at the final meeting of the Mullingar Town Council last week (May 28 ) when Cllr Pat Whelan once again raised the possibility of the County Council providing suitable lands for allotments in the Mullingar area.
“Up to about 20 years ago, nearly every house built in Ireland had a private back garden which could be used for growing food,” he said.
“In response to the Emergency, during World War 2, many local authorities rented out vegetable plots to householders, usually in un-developable backlands or along railway lines but, with increasing affluence and cheaper food, most of these fell into disuse and were either sold off as development sites or incorporated into public parks.
“Other countries did not abandon allotments as we did. The UK still has a thriving allotment culture and Germany has over one million.”
The Fine Gael candidate for today's election noted with interest a recent application to Westmeath County Council for the creation of an allotment centre at Tullaghan, Mullingar and wish the enterprising applicant every success.
In general, allotment gardens are concentrated in one place and parcels assigned to individual families. Plot sizes range from 200sq m to 400sq m and often include a shed for tools and shelter.
In other arrangements, gardeners organise an allotment association which leases the land from the owner.
Owners are often local authorities or charitable bodies which rent the sites provided they are used for gardening.
In light of rising greenhouse gas levels, falling household sizes and to provide more affordable housing, the Government issued guidelines in 1999 advocating increased residential densities on serviced land.
“Those buying three and four bed-roomed houses will have the opportunity to grow their own food as long as the developer did not bury the building rubble in their back garden and cover it up with a sprinkling of 2 inches of top soil,” Cllr Whelan warned.
“It is probable that the duplex and apartment units are bought by those who regard a garden as a burden and a generous balcony as an acceptable alternative.
“Yet, a certain proportion of apartments or duplex owners would enjoy a bit of land in the form of an allotment, either near their apartment or somewhere easily accessible.”
Probably as a reaction to higher density living, the interest in allotments is now beginning.
Fingal County Council last year reopened its waiting list for garden plots at an average rent of €30 a year, while Galway City Council has started offering allotments in response to a strong local demand.
“In Westmeath and Mullingar this could be achieved either by reserving a small amount of land for allotments within larger developments or else acquiring larger communal sites,” said Cllr Whelan.
“I am aware that most of the land that is owned by Westmeath County Council is used for housing. When land becomes available, there is huge pressure for activities like football pitches, playgrounds etc.
“I would ask Westmeath County Council to look at my motion and also at the fact that they are obliged under the 1926 Allotments Act, to provide allotments when there is an established demand. I would urge people to write to their local authority and perhaps in that way Westmeath County Council would establish if there is a need and a demand for allotments,” he concluded.
