Islington council allotment failings exposed

New research has named and shamed Islington for having a waiting list of at least a quarter century – making it one of hardest places in the country to access an allotment.

This latest research, published by LV=, formerly known as Liverpool Victoria, shows that nationally the average waiting time for an allotment is three years – but Islington residents can expect to wait at least eight times as long.

The successful Islington Labour annual council budget, which passed in February this year, included £1 million of funding to tackle this backlog and create new allotments and small growing spaces. However, the Lib Dem led administration has so far failed to act on this.

Islington Labour Environment spokesperson Paul Smith said:

“Allotments are good for ordinary people – they bring health, financial and educational benefits – that’s why our budget contained a £1million boost for allotments in Islington.

“For too long, under the Liberal Democrats, allotments have been the preserve of the few.  We’re making a difference because we are on the side of the local families and communise currently on the waiting list, missing out.”

There are currently 350 people on the waiting list for the mere 31 plots in the borough, and in the past year only two allotment spaces have become available in Islington. The only place in the UK with a longer waiting list for an allotment currently is Camden, with a forty year wait.