Council plots bright future for allotments

DUBLIN City Council has planted the seeds for a successful allotments programme after designating 112 of them and a community garden to residents of the North Central Area.

Over half of the plots are going to the residents of the Belmayne Clongriffin area.

Cllr Brian McDowell (Lab), on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Oisin Quinn, officially opened the Belmayne Allotments last week in the company of plot holders, local residents, local TDs and councillors and school children.

Dave Dinnigan, executive manager in Dublin City Council’s North Central Area, described it as a very exciting project.

“We have literally broken new ground with 112 very nicely constructed allotments in a newly developed urban setting,

? said Mr Dinnegan.

“The site will also include a community garden which will be run in conjunction with Cluid Housing.

“There has been a huge appetite for allotments in this lush green pocket in Belmayne.

“People have jumped at this opportunity and Dublin City Council has worked in tandem with them to offer this brand new facility with as many resources as possible.

?

A feasibility assessment was made on allotment facilities on Dublin City Council lands in Belmayne as a result of an initiative by the then Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Naoise � Muirí, in 2012. After consultations with local groups, during the Local Area Plan (LAP), it became clear that there was a keen interest in developing allotments in the area. The site chosen was the council lands in Belmayne. It measures 8150sqm or just over two acres. There are 68 plots measuring 63sqm and 44 plots measuring 30sqm.

All successful applicants have been issued with an 11-month licence to manage their plot following a lottery held earlier in the year.

The Community Garden has been licensed to Clúid Housing Association who have taken the lease on behalf of the residents of the apartments that overlook the site.

They will be allowed the freedom to develop and use the Community Garden as many of the families living in the apartments have no access to a garden.