Old allotments at Ystrad Mynach and Graig-Y-Rhacca are to be re-opened.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet has agreed to lease the former allotments site at Penallta Road in Ystrad Mynach to the Cylla Allotment Committee and the former allotments at Addison Way in Graig-Y-Rhacca to the Graig-Y-Rhacca Communities First Partnership.
Councillor Colin Mann, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, resources and sustainability said: “Cabinet were delighted to be able to agree to the proposals to re-establish allotment sites on both plots of land.
“The sustainability and health benefits to be gained from allotments are many and help contribute to creating a more physically active environment.
“We as a council are committed to looking at ways of developing even more allotment land in line with the current nationwide increase in demand.”
Public support for the allotment site in Ystrad Mynach is substantial, with 35 local people wishing to secure an allotment plot on the site. In addition to traditional allotment cultivation, there are also plans for the site to be utilised as a community garden, an orchard and for bee keeping.
Similarly in Graig-Y-Rhacca, public support for the allotment site is substantial. The Graig-Y-Rhacca Communities First Partnership plan to use the site as a community allotment plot to produce vegetables and salad crops, to be used in a series of healthy eating training courses being run with local residents.
Groundwork Caerphilly, The Flying Start Activity Group and The Golden Years Group have all also expressed an interest in growing vegetables on the site in Graig-Y-Rhacca.
Ann Henderson, Chair of the Graig-Y-Rhacca Communities First Partnership and the Environment and Conservation Group, was at the forefront of the application to re-establish the former allotment site in Graig-Y-Rhacca. She sadly passed away recently.
Cllr Ron Davies, cabinet member for regeneration and countryside said: “Ann was a true people’s champion and a treasured member of the local community. I know she would be delighted to know that the plans for the site which she had played a key role in have now come to fruition.
“In addition to the sustainability and health benefits that allotment sites can bring, they also help to promote community spirit and enable local youngsters an opportunity to learn where the food they eat comes from.”