Community Gardens

Council agrees to implement strategy for community gardens and allotments

On Monday 3rd July, Greystones Councillor Scott’s motion on developing a strategy for community gardens and allotments in County Wicklow was agreed at July’s Council meeting. The motion,  seconded by Cllr Leonard and supported by Cllr Kavanagh, was passed following unanimous support from all councillors

The motion echoes similar actions carried out by Kildare County Council who are preparing an allotments and community gardens strategy and have issued a public consultation asking residents if they would like an allotment or community garden near them.

Speaking after the meeting Scott said: “This motion was brought to enable communities all over Wicklow to make it easier to request access to land for growing their own food locally. Without a doubt there is huge demand out there and I am constantly contacted by groups and individuals who are interested in finding an allotment or community garden.

“Public allotments and community gardens are becoming an increasingly important element of sustainable communities. They have a number of benefits including the promotion of healthy lifestyles, biodiversity and providing a cheaper local and sustainable source of food.

“Despite the Council stating support for such facilities through an objective in the County Development Plan, no steps have been taken to progress this. Currently Wicklow is one of eight local authorities failing in this regard. The need for a strategy is long overdue. This motion asked the Council to lead by example as a landowner to deliver these amazing community spaces.”

Dónal McCormack from the Blessington Allotments Campaign said: “Our campaign has been requesting land within Blessington from Wicklow County Council since 2018. Since that time, we have given out over 1100 plants such as strawberry, raspberry or blueberry plants, apple or pear trees to every primary school student in Blessington which demonstrates the need for community growing spaces.

“Every local authority which borders Wicklow provides allotments and community gardens. Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change support community gardening as a climate action.

“The final report from the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss also highlighted how the state must do most to provide allotments and community gardens through local authority initiatives in conjunction with private landowners, in both urban and rural communities.

“Every part of society is being asked to do what they can to help with the climate and biodiversity crises, and we hope that this is one step closer towards community gardens and allotments being set up in communities across Wicklow.”

The next steps will be an assessment of what suitable land is available and a call out to the public for expressions of interest.