Green-fingered Fifers frustrated by a huge waiting list for allotments may be about to be given a glimmer of hope.
Fife Council has confirmed plans to establish a site for 44 allotments on land to the rear of Spittalfield Crescent and Spittalfield Road in Inverkeithing – the first such project of its kind for months.
Fifers hoping to cultivate their own fruit and vegetables have found themselves added to a waiting list that was said to be 700-strong and counting but the local authority has stressed it is committed to finding new sites to will allow many more community members to enjoy the benefits of gardening.
The current proposal is for an area of grassed open space which is owned and maintained by the council and surrounded with timber fencing and some concrete boundary walls.
A spokesperson for Fife Council confirmed the waiting list in west Fife and Inverkeithing remains “substantial” and it is hoped development of the site will go some way towards tackling the problem.
“The plots will be 100-metres square and each plot will be provided with a wooden shed, trip rail to delineate plot and a water butt,” the plans reveal.
“The plots will be accessed by a 1.5-metre path and a meeting room and storage shed will be provided.
“The tenants will be encouraged to form a management committee to oversee the site and to this end the meeting room will act as a hub. A site notice board will be provide for information.
“A water supply will also be installed with standpipes.
“Access to the site will be controlled, plot holders are given keys by the committee and the site gates should be locked at night.
“As is the pattern with most of our allotment sites car use is sporadic, plot holders often attend intermittently throughout the day.
“Most of the plot holders will be locally based and many may walk or cycle to the site.”
The proposal tabled also revealed that two of the 44 allotments planned will be for school or community use, and talks with local schools will begin as and when planning consent is granted.
