Trafford Council has published a new strategy setting out how it will manage and improve the borough's 35 allotment sites over the next five years.
The Allotment Strategy 2026-2031, approved by the council's Executive last month, was developed following an online consultation that attracted 247 responses, plus four in-person "listening events" with plot holders.
The strategy commits the council to improving site infrastructure including water supplies, boundaries and access for people with mobility issues. It also pledges to tackle flooding problems, enhance biodiversity, and work with the Local Plan to encourage new allotment provision alongside housing developments.
Trafford has around 1,500 allotment plots across its 35 sites, with a combined waiting list of over 400 people. Demand varies significantly across the borough - Vicarage Lane in Bowdon has 53 people waiting for one of its 33 plots, while Mansfield in Urmston has no waiting list at all.
In the Altrincham area, Riddings has 80 plots with 10 people waiting, Golf Road has 75 plots with 16 waiting, and Moss Lane has 25 plots with 15 on the list.
To address demand, the council says it will investigate offering half plots to new tenants, identify space on existing sites where new plots could be created, and restrict tenants to a single full-size plot where waiting lists exist.
The strategy also proposes restricting plots to people living within Trafford - a change that would require legal sign-off.
The allotment service is funded entirely by plot rents. The council says it will seek cost savings on maintenance and water bills while exploring grant funding opportunities.
Cllr Rose Thompson, Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said: “In Trafford we celebrate the value of our beautiful, much-loved allotments and take looking after them, and enhancing them, very seriously. This strategy will protect and develop these precious growing spaces for all who use and enjoy them, now and for generations to come.”
Allotment holders, established and new, gathered to mark the occasion. They included John Evans who has been growing ‘low maintenance’ vegetables including potatoes, runner beans and beetroot for three years - and enjoying the community spirit that plot life offers.
Chris O’Donnell, meanwhile, has been cultivating brassicas, leeks, onions and garlic on his plot for six years, and Ian Senior - a plot holder for five years - enjoys being out and about in the fresh air while growing gooseberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Newcomers Jane and Brian Cleator have just been granted their first plot after being on a waiting list and intend to grow their own food. Jane said: “We have plans to grow blackcurrants for delicious cordial, leeks, garlic, sweetcorn, beans and squash!”
