Marc Jones, who set up an allotment site six years ago, said there was a desperate need for allotments in the Abergele area. He said:
“I know the council has been trying to find suitable land to meet the demand from the 70 people on the official waiting list. There are no plots available between Old Colwyn and Kinmel Bay, so it makes sense to try to create a local allotment site in Abergele."Mr Jones, Plaid Cymru’s candidate in Clwyd West for the Westminster election, and party members carried out a survey in the town and found many people wanted a new allotment site in the town.
Mr Jones said:
“We found 95% of people questioned wanted to grow their own food. But they were unable to because- 13% had no gardens- 77% had gardens that were too small or unsuitable- 10% had no skills / experience“There is clearly a demand and I know Conwy Councilhas been trying its best to find land. But it’s clear that more needs to be done and that’s why I’m appealing for any community group, organisation or landowner with a spare patch of land to come forward.”Mr Jones spoke of his own experience in starting up a community-run allotment site:
“Six years ago, as a county councillor I was in a similar position. With help from the local council, I was able to find a suitable parcel of land owned by a community trust.“Within a few months, we’d arranged a 99-year lease and mapped out 54 plots that were immediately taken up. The allotments are run by the members who pay £20 a year for their plot and it’s completely self-sufficient.“The benefits to people in terms of health, healthy eating and companionship are great. The allotments create their own little community and it’s a great way of persuading youngsters in particular to try out new fruit and vegetables.“I’m sure that, if we can find that elusive parcel of land and get some initial help from the council, then Abergele can have its allotments.”· Anyone able to help provide a plot of land can contact Marc on marcvjones AT gmail.com or 07747 792441.
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