Work is under way on creating the first community allotments in Liverpool for decades.
The allotment site will be created out of part of the Park Hill Recreation Ground in Dingle and will consist of 30 plots on raised planters with additional tree planting and a central hub with storage space and car parking. It could also be used for community events and produce markets.
It has been chosen to replace a site in Long Lane, Fazakerley, which once housed allotments but had become overgrown and not been used since 1988 and will now be the new location for the Redbridge Bank View School.
The city council met with the Association of Liverpool Allotments who, while recognising that there was formerly little or no demand for allotments at the Long Lane site, has recommended that they be replaced with plots at in an area of the city where there is a higher demand and the site in the Dingle met these needs.
The cabinet will be asked at its meeting on 6 March to confirm the funding for the allotments with £75,000 being made available from the School Investment Programme and £33,000 contributions from planning obligations for development in Duke Street and Henry Street.
Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This is a site which is poorly used and has suffered from anti-social behavior. Converting part of the site into allotments will improve this area.
“There is a demand locally from people who want allotments and we will be able to meet that need. It also means that fresh food will be produced locally.
“The adjacent children’s play area on Cockburn Street is not part of the allotments site and a redesign and improvements are proposed for this funded by Section 106 monies. We’ll be carrying out a consultation exercise with local children and parents on what they’d like to see on the playground.”
It is anticipated that the first phase of the work will be completed by the middle of April with the first portion of allotment plots allocated at the founding meeting of allotment holders on March 8.
