This case study was created as part of the Clackmannanshire wide Developing a Local Food Growing Strategy project #GRowClacks. It was delivered in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and funded by the CSGN Development Fund.

The case study is part of a series of four case studies showcasing community growing already happening in Clackmannanshire aimed at spreading the word and inspiring others to get involved.

Alloa Allotments is a traditional allotments site established in 1995. An old Council yard was turned into 26 allotment plots and the plot holders formed Alloa Allotments Association. Each plot holder rents a plot and maintains the sheds which were originally put in by the Council. The Allotments Association pay a yearly nominal fee to the Council for the lease of the land and was granted a 25-year lease in 2012.

Since 1995 the number of plots on the site has increased to 44, but only 14 of those are now what is termed a “full plot”. The rent for these is currently £60/year. 18 plots are half plots at £30/year and there is also 12 “starter” plots on site which are 1/3 the size of a full plot and cost £20/year. This works well for the Association as very few people can maintain a full plot these days. If you share a plot the shed is shared too.

The plot holders also support Deer Park Primary School and a Syrian refugee family who now live in Alloa with half a plot each.Fruit, vegetables and flowers are grown on the site and a plot holder (called the flower man) also looks after the planters in front of the community hospital nearby.

Read the full Alloa Allotments Association case study