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The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) is calling on all allotment holders across the UK to hold a ‘Party on the Plot’, during National Allotments Week (6th and 12th August 2012), as it works to galvanise community support for allotments and protect them from developers.
 
A recent survey conducted by the NSALG* found that 74% of its members are worried that their allotment land will be sold off and redeveloped in the future; while the Society itself receives hundreds of calls a year from allotment holders looking for advice on how best to safeguard their plots.
 
Donna McDaid, National Secretary for the NSALG explains, “Unfortunately in this day and age, it is too easy for landlords to dispose of allotment land without realising the huge benefits they provide to individuals, communities and the environment. And since the Localism Act has come into force there is now an even greater need to galvanise the interest and support of local communities, especially as planners see allotments as prime development land. So please join us for a ‘Party on the Plot’ and let’s show the nation how fantastic and indispensible allotments are.”
 
The allotment movement has been in existence for hundreds of years, and is the only ‘leisure activity’ with its own legislation. There are an estimated 330,000 allotment plots in the UK, the equivalent of 58 Hyde Parks.  This land is home to millions of species, works to removes tonnes of C02 from the atmosphere and ensures hundreds of thousands of individuals can grow their own food and benefit from the exercise allotment gardening offers.
 
To join us for a ‘Party on the Plot’ register for National Allotments Week by emailing natsoc@nsalg.org.uk . All those who register will be sent a free ‘how to’ guide and publicity pack. For more information see www.nsalg.org.uk