26/07/2007

More allotments needed


Plaid Cymru Councillor Alun Williams has called for more gardening allotments to be made available in the Aberystwyth area.
Speaking following a meeting of the 'Transition Town' group, the Plaid Cymru Councillor for the Aberystwyth Bronglais ward said:

"Aberystwyth currently has just 27 official allotments with a further eight temporary ones. There are a further eight out at Blaenplwyf. The waiting list currently stands at around 70 – 80 people with normally a five year wait before a plot can be offered. This is far too long.

"There was recently a very large meeting at the Morlan Centre on reducing our dependence on oil and becoming more self-sufficient. Looking at the size of the allotment waiting list, it is clear that the County is not providing sufficiently for the demand by people to be able to grow their own food.

"At a time when the Aberystwyth Masterplan is looking at the allocation of land around the town for various purposes it's important that we bear in mind that, whilst the Council obviously wants to get the best price it can for land around the town, we also need to remember our commitment to environmental sustainability and provide for local people who want to grow food themselves".