Let’s grow together! Green fingered residents across Trafford are all set for the ‘Good Life’ – as the Council launches a new strategy for the borough’s allotments.
The Allotment Strategy 2026-2031, which has been developed by Trafford Council with the help of allotment users, was approved by the Executive last night, 12 February.
Its 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.”
The strategy 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.
Allotments are hugely popular across Trafford and have a number of benefits including providing organically grown and healthier food, improving mental health, improving physical health, and combating social isolation. Trafford has a long history of allotment gardening, with many sites having roots in the early 20th century. While commercial market gardening has declined in some areas due to development, the allotment movement has flourished
There are 34 Council-owned allotment sites and one private site in Trafford with approximately 1,500 individual plots in full time use. The majority of allotments have voluntary committees that support Trafford Council in managing the sites, and there are 13 self-managed sites which lease land from the council. To develop the strategy, Trafford Council hosted an online consultation with allotment holders along with four further ‘listening’ events.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said:
“Allotments are amazing and support all our corporate priorities as well as promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and allowing people to grow sustainable food sources and other plants.
“The desire to adopt more sustainable lifestyles has also contributed to the growth in demand for allotment gardening and this strategy will provide support for our allotments and allotment holders in Trafford over the next five years. Who doesn’t want a taste of the Good Life?”