New allotments to be created to help meet huge demand for plots

More than 250 new allotments are set to be created in Glasgow to help meet the huge demand for plots.

There are currently 35 allotment sites across the city, with 1100 individual plots.

The city council is in the process of creating 259 more plots, an increase of nearly 25%.

Mansewood Allotment Association manages the grow-your-own patches at Mansewood High Park in the southside.

Ian Sutherland, chair of the association, said: “At the height of lockdown we had 150 people on our waiting list.”

Usually, they have around 30 people waiting for places at any one time. Despite people returning to work in offices, they still have 70 people interested in nabbing a spot.

Work is now completed on 18 new allotments, bringing the total to 67.

Mr Sutherland, who’s had a plot at Mansewood for six years, said you get to meet “lots of characters”.

He added: “You get to know what they’re growing, and you even get an insight into their personal lives.”

Mr Sutherland, who’s been gardening for 30 years, said allotments are coming back to the forefront.

He explained: “People want to grow their own. They want to know where their food’s coming from, and it also helps to save the pennies.”

Glasgow City Council has allocated more than £400,000 this year to creating allotments – most of which will be additions to existing sites, but there are plans to create new places for growers to get involved.

“The target of 259 new plots is just the start,” said councillor Anna Richardson.

“We need to get those on the ground and working well and then we need to look at where else we want to expand.”

Some sites have seen a 300% increase in the number of people registering their interest in allotments since the start of the pandemic.

Plots only become available if a tenant dies or relinquishes their membership of an association.