Introduction:
Community Gardens Ireland is a network of community gardens and allotments on the island of Ireland. In existence since 2011, it aims to support and promote community gardening in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Community Gardens Ireland notes that the number of allotments and community gardens provided by local authorities in Ireland is low when compared to other European countries. Approximately 2500 allotments & community gardens are currently provided by local authorities in Ireland. Denmark, for example, has a similar population but has over 40,000 allotments. Other countries such as Germany, Britain, Poland, Finland, Austria etc. offer far more per capita allotments or community gardens than Ireland.
According to a 2020 Local Government Management Agency report, Wicklow County Council is one of 8 local authorities in Ireland that provide no allotments or community gardens. Community Gardens Ireland believes this should be rectified as soon as possible.
Community gardens and allotments actively contribute to the National Biodiversity Action Plan and the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Furthermore, many increase native hedgerow planting and add to urban forests.
A large argument in favour for the provision of more community growing spaces is that the spaces assist in the improving of urban food security, reduces food carbon footprint by avoiding long distance food transport and reduces GHG emissions by recycling organic waste.
Community growing spaces (allotments or community gardens) can contribute to adapting to climate change impacts by increasing water infiltration and slowing down run-offs which can prevent flooding. Community growing spaces also improves biodiversity and strengthens ecosystems.
Aside from this, community growing spaces contribute positively to mental health, physical health and community cohesion.
Food Security & Supply Concerns in Ireland:
In recent weeks it was announced that discussions were commencing regarding the need to bolster Ireland's food security as a result of the war in Ukraine:
In recent weeks it was also announced that there were "Tomato, lettuce and pepper supply challenges due to ‘perfect storm’ of issues":
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report – WGIII:
Recently the IPCC released their Working Group III report. Detailed within this were climate actions related to increasing the amount of urban agriculture in urban areas, as detailed below:
D.2.1 Sustainable urban planning and infrastructure design including green roofs and facades, networks of parks and open spaces, management of urban forests and wetlands, urban agriculture, and water-sensitive design can deliver both mitigation and adaptation benefits in settlements (medium confidence). These options can also reduce flood risks, pressure on urban sewer systems, urban heat island effects, and can deliver health benefits from reduced air pollution (high confidence).
8.1 Sustainable Development: Urban agriculture, including urban orchards, roof-top gardens, and vertical farming contribute to enhancing food security and fostering healthier diets.
8.2.2 Economic development, competitiveness, and equity: Urban agriculture can not only reduce household food expenditure, but also provide additional sources of revenue for the city.
8.4.6 Urban-rural linkages: Urban food systems, as well as city-regional production and distribution of food, factors into supply chains. Reducing food demand from urban hinterlands can have a positive impact on energy and water demand for food production (Eigenbrod and Gruda 2015) (see ‘food system’ in Glossary). Managing food waste in urban areas through recycling or reduction of food waste at source of consumption would require behavioural change (Gu et al. 2019). Urban governments could also support shifts towards more climate-friendly diets, including through procurement policies. These strategies have created economic opportunities or have enhanced food security while reducing the emissions that are associated with waste and the transportation of food. Strategies for managing food demand in urban areas would depend on the integration of food systems in urban planning.
Link: https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg3/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FinalDraft_FullReport.pdf
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report – 2019:
In 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which included Urban Agriculture initiatives, as follows:
“Urban and peri-urban agriculture reduces the food carbon footprint by avoiding long distance food transport. These types of agriculture also limit GHG emissions by recycling organic waste and wastewater that would otherwise release methane from landfills and dumping sites (Lwasa et al. 2014). Urban and peri-urban agriculture also contribute in adapting to climate change, including extreme events, by reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing water infiltration and slowing down run-offs to prevent flooding, etc.
(Lwasa et al. 2014, 2015; Kumar et al. 2017a1209). For example, a scenario analysis shows that urban gardens reduce the surface temperature up to 10°C in comparison to the temperature without vegetation (Tsilini et al. 20151210). Urban agriculture can also improve biodiversity and strengthen associated ecosystem services (Lin et al. 20151211).”
“In summary, urban and peri-urban agriculture can contribute to improving urban food security, reducing GHG emissions, and adapting to climate change impacts (robust evidence, medium agreement).”
Ref: https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/chapter/chapter-5/
Sustainable Development Goals:
Community growing spaces also clearly help contribute towards some of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, for example:
- 3 Good health and well-being
- 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 12 Responsible consumption and production
Community Gardens Ireland Comments & Recommendations:
1. Community Growing Spaces Waiting List
Community Gardens Ireland notes that there is no waiting list in place for community growing spaces by Wicklow County Council. While other local authorities are able to gauge interest from the use of a waiting list and plan accordingly, the lack of a Wicklow County Council waiting list in place does not help with long term planning of use.
For example, there are reports from South Dublin County Council that there is a 10-year waiting list for allotments:
https://www.echo.ie/allotments-created-and-allocated-to-people-on-wait-list/
Knowing demand for community growing spaces would better enable Wicklow County Council to plan future use of land in an overall strategy and for specific locations throughout the county.
Community Gardens Ireland recommends that Wicklow County Council open a waiting list for community growing spaces throughout the county to better plan for demand for community growing spaces.
2. Other European Countries - Benchmarking
Ireland provides a poor level of allotments and community gardens compared to European figures.
For example, Denmark – a county with a similar population to Ireland – provides over 40,000 allotment gardens for the population of 5.8 million people. Germany provides 1.3 million allotment gardens for a population of 83 million people. Community Gardens Ireland’s recent report called “Let’s Get Growing” benchmarks community growing spaces from other European countries:
Ref: http://cgireland.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Community-Gardens-Ireland_Lets-Get-Growing.pdf
Community growing spaces (i.e. allotments & community gardens) provide an opportunity for local climate action. Other local authorities with a high urban population are also taking the lead in increasing the number of community growing spaces in the timescale of their development plan.
3. Dublin City Council Development Plan
In the draft Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028, the following is included as an objective:
"GIO28 It is an Objective of Dublin City Council: Urban Farming and Food Production
(i) To support the provision of urban farming and food production initiatives, where feasible, and in particular, on the roofs of buildings, as temporary uses on vacant, under-utilised or derelict sites in the city and in peripheral urban areas / near M50, and in residential developments;
(ii) to seek to increase the provision of allotments in the city in the order of 100%;
(iii) To carry out a survey of underutilised open spaces for community gardens with a view to identifying areas in the city appropriate and suitable for community gardens."
4. Guidelines for Planning Authorities
In May 2009, the then Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government issued guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable residential development in urban areas (Cities, Towns & Villages).
Page 38 of 79 detailed the following:
"Development plans have tended in the past to emphasise detailed quantitative standards, but there is now an increasing focus on the quality of public open space, which ensures that the reasonable expectations of users are more likely to be fulfilled. Qualitative standards include:
Provision for allotments and community gardens: Allotments are small plots of land which are let (usually by a local authority) to individuals for the cultivation of vegetables and plants. They are of particular value in higher density areas."
Ref: https://assets.gov.ie/111252/bf943e60-30d5-4ac3-8c7a-dc4f68b3d688.pdf
5. Recommendations for Wicklow County Council Development Plan 2022-2028
According to Section 7.3.5 Allotments and community gardens, “The individual size of a plot/parcel ranges between 200-400sqm and often the plots include a shed for tools and shelter.”
This is incorrect. As referenced in Community Gardens Ireland’s Let’s Get Growing report from 2022:
“In practice, different size plots are often allocated for community growing. Fingal County Council, which has 900 allotments over four sites, offer three different plot sizes available to rent: 50sqm, 100sqm and 200sqm (the 200sqm plots are only available at Balbriggan and Turvey sites). According to Fingal County Council “This means that there is an allotment plot to suit all levels of interest, experience and time commitment.”
Ref: http://cgireland.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Community-Gardens-Ireland_Lets-Get-Growing.pdf
In addition, community gardens vary in size and setup throughout Ireland. For some community gardens there are shared plots or raised beds, while others have designated growing areas. It is common place for all community growing spaces to have some form of shared design e.g. shared polytunnel, compost area, storage area etc.
Community Gardens Ireland believes section 7.3.5 should be changed to the following:
“The individual size of a plot/parcel varies in size according to the needs of the community and often the plots include a shed and polytunnel for tool storage, shelter and for extending the growing season.”
CPO 7.48 currently states:
“To support and facilitate the development of allotments and community gardens, of an appropriate scale, on lands which meet the following criteria:
- land situated within or immediately adjacent to the edge of towns/villages;
- land that is easily accessible to the residents of a particular town or village;
- where an adequate water supply can be provided;
- where adequate road infrastructure and access exists/can be provided; and
- where adequate parking facilities can be provided.”
Community Gardens Ireland believes that the proposed amendment requires strengthening. Currently no target is included in the above action associated with allotments and community gardens. As referenced earlier, Dublin City Council in their draft development plan have highlighted that they aim to increase the number of community growing spaces by 100% in the next 5 years.
As per Chapter 1 of the draft Wicklow County Development Plan, the population of Wicklow has increased 13% from 2006 – 2016 censuses. According to Chapter 3, another 15% population growth is expected up to 2031. As Wicklow County Council currently offers no community growing spaces at all, and strong population growth is proposed for the county, Community Gardens Ireland believes that CPO 7.4.8 should be expanded to include the following:
CPO 7.4.8:
(i) To support and facilitate the development of allotments and community gardens, of an appropriate scale, on lands which meet the following criteria:
- on the roofs of buildings, as temporary uses on vacant, under-utilised or derelict sites in the county and in peripheral urban areas, and in residential developments.
- The lands are of appropriate scale and at appropriate locations, situated within or immediately adjacent to the edge of towns/villages;
- Proximate to public transport links and walking / cycling infrastructure; and
- Adequate water supply and adequate parking facilities can be provided.
(ii) to seek to provide an adequate number of community growing spaces to meet community demand in all municipal districts;
(iii) to carry out a survey of underutilised open spaces for community gardens with a view to identifying areas in the county appropriate and suitable for community gardens.