Demand for allotments in West Lothian is on the rise, prompting plans for a third site in Boghall, Bathgate, as the 'grow your own' movement continues to gain momentum. The council is working with Bathgate Community Development Trust (BCDT) to develop the new allotment adjacent to Boghall Primary School.
Existing Allotment Sites and Waiting Lists
Currently, there are 74 allotments on council-owned land at Killandean and Deansmeadow in Livingston. Killandean Community Allotment Association manages 54 plots and reports 43 applicants on its waiting list, while Deansmeadow Allotments Association has 22 plots with 12 applicants. Both associations are self-managing and maintain their own waiting lists, with no direct council involvement in daily operations.
Plans for Boghall Allotment
BCDT is progressing plans for a mixed-plot-size allotment at Boghall, which could be managed by an independent association. The trust is responsible for securing funding, while the council contributed to an initial ground investigation to confirm the land's suitability. A council officer stated that planning proposals have been submitted, and if approved, the allotments could be operational by early next year.
Legislative Requirements
The 2015 Community Empowerment Act requires local authorities to promote community food growing and ensure that waiting lists for council-leased allotments do not exceed 50% of available plots. The council currently holds one applicant on its own waiting list, maintained primarily to comply with the Act. The council does not directly develop or construct allotments but supports independent community groups in doing so.
Community Support and Future Outlook
The council directs applicants to the existing associations first and can assist in plot allocation if those associations have no waiting list. The growing interest reflects a broader trend toward sustainable living and local food production, echoing the 'Good Life' ethos popularized in the 1970s.
