By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
There are no plans to sell off allotments in Southampton “now or at any point in the future”, a senior councillor has confirmed.
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The subject of rented-out fruit and vegetable plots attracted national media attention this month after it came to light Angela Rayner had given permission for eight sites across England to be sold by local authorities.
Witts Hill allotments
Allotments are protected from development or sale by a 100-year-old act of parliament, except with a sign off from ministers with strict criteria in place.
While Southampton City Council is in the midst of a wide-ranging asset development and disposal programme (ADDP), which involves selling sites to address the authority’s financial plight, the Labour administration has said allotments have never been under consideration.
Cllr Simon Letts, cabinet member for finance and resources (pictured below), said: “We have no plans to dispose of allotments now or at any point in the future.
“They are not and never will be part of our disposal programme.
“Allotments in cities like ours provide a vital opportunity for residents to exercise and grow their own food.
“For many people they have a positive impact on physical and mental health.”
Southampton has more than 1,800 allotment plots across 27 sites in the city, with the average standard plot costing £85 a year to rent.
Only residents of Southampton and those who live within a mile of the city boundary are allowed to rent them, and most sites have a waiting list.
Ms Rayner’s green light for eight allotments to be sold was unearthed by a written parliamentary question by Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake.
It was confirmed that sites in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Kent, Hertfordshire and West Sussex had been earmarked for sale.
Southampton City Council brought in £15million through selling seven assets in 2024/25.
This included a student accommodation block, retail spaces and industrial units in the city, as well as a warehouse in Northamptonshire and a vacant office in Cambridge, which were both owned by the local authority.
As of last month, the city council was yet to sell any assets through the ADDP this financial year although a consultation has taken place on disposing of the Amoy Street car park in Bedford Place.
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