Brent Council needs your views on improving their allotments

Residents are being asked to view their food for thought on vegetable growing strategies

Brent Council is meeting with residents to discuss ways to improve allotment and food growing strategies in the borough but could possibly regulate the space available to those looking to rent plots.

There are currently 22 food growing sites in the borough and residents are invited to have their say during a public consultation which runs until the end of May.

Jenny Isaac, assistant director for neighbourhood services in Brent hailed food growing as a ‘fantastic activity’ but added there was increasing demand for plots.

She said: “It is a fantastic scheme that encourages healthy eating and physical exercise with getting people out of the house into the fresh air.

“But we have high demand and even a waiting list in place so we will discuss ways that we can get more people involved which may involve reducing plot size available for one person.”

There are currently more than 1,000 plots in the borough occupying 18.2 hectares and Brent also has 16 community-based growing, including a scheme in the pipeline to grow fresh food outside the Willesden Green Sainsbury’s in High Road.

Local Government Association research predicts an increase in the amount of people looking to rent plots.

Cllr James Powney, lead member for environment and neighbourhoods, said the consultations were being held to discus ways of improving access for all.

He said: “We are committed to improving what our existing allotments offer and giving more residents in the borough the chance to enjoy growing their own food.”

For more information on the consultations call 020 8937 5619 or visit www.brent.co.uk/consultation