2023 data showed that allotment waiting lists across England almost doubled since 2011, with approximate over applications sitting on local authority allotment waiting lists reaching over 170,000 – with the longest average waiting time for a plot being 15 years.

The Green Allotment charity aims to create, new not-for-profit private allotment sites for communities. The charity buys suitable land, in order to provide allotments at an affordable rent. According to the charity, their allotment sites are cultivated via sustainable gardening practices for the benefit of the environment and they enable social cooperation as their sites are managed by the community of gardeners.

By means of a competition organised by the charity, two new allotment sites can now be won in England and Wales. The Green Allotments competition is open to non-profit voluntary groups (new or established) and are permanent residents in England or Wales, over the age of 18 years. Entrants are simply required to demonstrate a demand for allotments and identify suitable or desired land. The new allotments will be strictly not-for-profit, will be offered at affordable rents and must improve biodiversity in the area.

The competition closing date (Stage 1 Expression of Interest) is the 30th of November 2024. Entrants who are selected to go on to Stage 2 will have a closing date of midnight 28th February 2025, with online interviews taking place in March 2025.

The full competition details, guidelines and terms and conditions can be found here.