The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) has been consulting on the Draft Edinburgh City Local Plan, which sets out detailed policies and proposals for development and land use. This will replace 4 of the existing 5 Local Plans, with adoption expected in 2008/9.

The City has lost 2 allotment sites to development in the last 5 years, so the final version of the Plan will be very important as a statutory document affecting planning decisions for at least the following 10 years.

It is encouraging that CEC indicate an intention to specifically identify allotments within its Open Space Policy on the Proposals Map. CEC are also asking "What policies might the Plan include to encourage the provision and protection of allotment grounds?"

FEDAGA's response to the Draft was to request the inclusion of a more robust policy statement and to include some sites that have not been identified on the map. FEDAGA strongly encouraged allotment holders, potential future allotmenteers, or supporters of allotments, to respond to the consultation, even if it was only to agree that all allotment sites should be identified.

The Draft is available to view at the Planning Department, 1 Cockburn Street, libraries, and on line.