Trafford Council has set out plans for how it will improve its allotments and raise awareness of the benefits of growing fruit and vegetables, in a newly-published document.
The Trafford Allotment Strategy 2026-2031, developed with the help of allotment holders during online and in-person consultation, is now online for all to read.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, and allotments officer Robert Rothwell are pictured celebrating the launch with gardeners at Walton Road allotments in Sale.
Allotment holders, established and new, gathered to mark the occasion. They included John Evans who has been growing ‘low maintenance’ vegetables including potatoes, runner beans and beetroot for three years – and enjoying the community spirit that plot life offers.
Chris O’Donnell, meanwhile, has been cultivating brassicas, leeks, onions and garlic on his plot for six years, and Ian Senior – a plot holder for five years – enjoys being out and about in the fresh air while growing gooseberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Newcomers Jane and Brian Cleator have just been granted their first plot after being on a waiting list and intend to grow their own food. Jane said:
“We have plans to grow blackcurrants for delicious cordial, leeks, garlic, sweetcorn, beans and squash!”
The strategy’s mission statement is:
“Empowering residents with access to growing spaces, promoting mental and physical well-being, supporting skill development, enhancing biodiversity in our green spaces, and creating opportunities for social connection and physical activity.”
It aims to raise the profile of allotments through working with tenants and outlines proposed developments to improve allotment sites over the next five years.
It also supports all five of the Council’s priorities – the best start for our children and young people, healthy and independent lives for everyone, A thriving economy and homes for all, addressing the climate crisis, culture, sport and heritage for everyone – as well as the Carbon Neutral Action Plan.
There are 34 Council-owned allotment sites and one private site in Trafford with approximately 1,500 individual plots in use.
Most sites have voluntary committees that support Trafford Council with management, and there are 13 self-managed sites which lease land from the council. Cllr Thompson said:
“In Trafford we celebrate the value of our beautiful, much-loved allotments and take looking after them, and enhancing them, very seriously. This strategy will protect and develop these precious growing spaces for all who use and enjoy them, now and for generations to come.”