By Graeme Ogston

DUNDEE GOLFERS have no need to fear public fairways being ploughed over to satisfy a rise in demand for allotment space.

The local authority said it had “no plans” to redesignate any of its municipal course space after Edinburgh City Council was urged by a Green Party councillor to turn less-popular courses over to local gardeners.

Around 200 people are on the waiting list for the four Dundee City Council managed allotments, with another 30 waiting for a plot on private and association-managed sites.

There are a total of 599 plots in Dundee, compared to 1230 in Edinburgh, which has a waiting list of around 2100.

Edinburgh Green councillor Alison Johnstone said, “It doesn’t make sense if we are using a massive percentage of our green space for a smaller group of people than would be interested in allotments.”

However, Susan Walker, secretary of the Dundee City Road allotment, which has a one to two years waiting list of 21 people, said it is not something that would ever be considered in Dundee.

She said, “There are so many other green spaces that could be utilised instead. The council should be more amenable to people who want allotments and find more green space.

“My own view is that it is a good idea for any unused green spaces to be used.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said there was “an ongoing consultation” on the allotment situation, which would be the subject of a report that would go back to committee “some time in the future.”

The consultation document, published in July, includes a section addressing the demand for allotment plots in the city.

The report states, “Consideration should be given to bringing back into general use the allotments at South Road and Stirling Park, with half plots being provided as a starter into allotment gardening.”

“In addition, leisure and communities officers are remitted to identify potential allotment sites in parks and open spaces across the city.”