Starting an allotment site can be a difficult task, however, the law changes in 2015 in Scotland has made it easier per se.

The Scottish Government developed the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Within this, it is Section 9 that allotmenteers would be interested in. Land for an allotment would normally be privately owned or Council owned. An allotment site is unlikely to just be offered up due to the costs to the landowner, so it is pressure from the public that will be the catalyst to receiving land to grow food on.

Within Section 9 it explains that if a settlement does not have an allotment site, then a waiting list of 15 people must be achieved to trigger the Local Authority to assist. Initially the EAA wanted to try and assist anyone in the Moray area but it has become clear that this is not a practical solution. During our endeavours it was discovered that the process at the local level was not mature enough. Through some hard work within Moray Council, the process has developed to incorporate around 8 departments that are involved with the process. It was this process that allowed the EAA to finally start to develop the Pinefield Allotment site that had been in discussion for many years.

What was not entirely clear was the boundaries of who could be part of a particular site within the Moray area. Through discussions with the Council it became clear that it would be the secondary schools catchment area that would be used as the boundaries. This may be frustrating for some but it now guides individuals to understand where their boundary is with respect to their home address. As individuals add their names to the list in Moray, the Council put them into their catchment areas. So, if you are in the Lossiemouth area, you will be put on the Lossiemouth list. If you are from Aberlour, then you will be put on that catchment list.

It is hoped that this gives a level of explanation to anyone in the Moray area that is wanting to start an allotment site. If you are interested and require any additional information that may help you, please contact us on secretary@elginallotmentassociation.co.uk