Task 33- Thesis topic exploration

The past, present and future of allotments

“future housing projects should include the provision of 'edible' land” (Ecologist, Jan 2010)

This thesis therefore aims to research the social, physical, political and economic history of allotment sites; including what made them necessary and how well the scheme was received when it was first introduced. This study would subsequently focus upon the initial planning policies and how they evolved over time.

An exploration of their popularity to modern day communities and a review of the current situation will also be undertaken. This should incorporate a feasibility assessment pertaining to their place in a modern society. A review of current planning policy and its attitude towards allotments will be assessed in line with the current demands of a 21^st century community.

To forecast future needs of the community, the question of whether the current allotment format would meet a future vision will be explored. In particular the most accessible ways for people to grow their own will be reviewed against alternative proposals that would offer better community opportunities and use of space. A proposal will be made for how planning policy could be amended to adopt and utilise the elements discovered within this review to ensure the best way forward may be adopted.

As an international comparison, similar schemes in other countries would be taken into account in order to compare and contrast foreign attitudes towards self sufficiency and ‘growing your own’. The planning policies for these international sites would also be discussed in contrast to the corresponding policies within the UK.

This discussion coincides with the focus of Unit 09’s work on increasing Bradford on Avon’s ability to be more self sufficient in terms of job creation and resources. The evidence discussed within this thesis will be used to aid both the design and purpose of the proposed self sufficiency school based in Avoncliff.

It is the proposal of this study that this school could be used as a catalyst for increased production of fruit, vegetables and other green resources in the gardens and arable land surrounding Bradford upon Avon. This is due to the fact that these can be seen as this area’s greatest assets and can aid in reducing food miles and thus controlling the areas environmental impact. In order to focus the thesis on the Unit site, access to allotments within the area will be studied, as well as a research project into the attitudes of local people to ‘growing their own’. This qualitative data will be analysed alongside quantitative data on the availability of gardens, whether fruit and vegetables are currently being grown and the access to further education within the area on topics such as self sufficiency.

This thesis would therefore provide a rounded account on the state of allotments and the ability of communities to be more sustainable through methods such as growing your own; not only in the UK, but internationally through combining ideas discussed within the design project.

In conclusion, the study and review elements of this thesis will attempt to formulate ways in which increased productivity in gardens and arable land can be encouraged, through either community enrichment or through schemes such as the current allotment provision. Independent research would be undertaken within the site area to gauge opinion and opportunity for growth. When these factors are then combined with a concise review of the site’s historical and present day context a good grounding can be made for this thesis to provide an accurate and considered review of planning policy and its external elements to enable the best possible use of the UK’s green spaces that make this country what it is.