Many takers for council’s green-fingered proposal

THE COUNCIL has received over 80 requests for allotments from all over the isles, including some from educational establishments and social care groups.

By far the largest number has come from the Lerwick area with some 50 families and groups already being interested in growing their own vegetables.

The main reasons given for wanting to rent an allotment were lack of access to a growing area, the rising cost of food and an increasing knowledge of the healthy eating agenda.

A series of meetings will be arranged in October in each area where an interest has been shown to discuss with the interested parties what they would like in the way of an allotment and how it should be taken forward. Dates of the meetings will be publicised and those already on the list will be contacted directly with a date for their area.

Councillor Jim Henry, environment spokesman, said: “It would appear that we have tapped into a previously unquantified need. Anything the council can do to help families become more self-sufficient fits well with our key sustainability policies.

“We will be moving forward now to try and deliver a Shetland-wide response with each area contributing to its own specific solution as part of the overall response. I would encourage anyone who wishes to help achieve this end to contact us as soon as possible.

Anyone still wishing to register an interest in renting a plot should contact Mary Lisk at the SIC infrastructure services department by Monday or telephone her on (01595) 744818.