Angela Rayner’s So-Called War on Allotments: What It Means for Gardeners and the Future of Growing Your Own Food

In recent weeks, allotment holders across the UK have expressed growing concern over what’s been dubbed Angela Rayner’s “war on allotments.” 

As the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rayner has sparked a fierce debate by suggesting reforms that could, intentionally or not, put pressure on allotment spaces.

With affordable housing and land use reform high on the agenda, fears are mounting that traditional green havens for home growers could be sacrificed in the name of development.

So what exactly is happening, and how could it impact the thousands of people who rely on allotments not just for food, but for wellbeing, sustainability, and community?

What’s at the Heart of the Controversy?

The controversy stems from policy discussions around releasing more land for housing development — a long-standing issue in the UK where housing shortages remain critical. Angela Rayner has called for a “planning revolution” to ease red tape and speed up construction, including a review of how public land is used.

While allotments have not been explicitly targeted, campaigners and gardening groups fear they could be among the “underutilised” plots of land earmarked for reassessment. Allotments — often situated on council-owned land — may be at risk, especially in high-demand urban areas where green space is limited and property developers have their sights set on every square metre.

Why Allotments Matter

Allotments are more than just hobby gardens. They are lifelines for many, especially those on lower incomes, retirees, and individuals seeking physical and mental health benefits. They play a vital role in:

Food security: With the cost of living still high, many families and individuals depend on allotments to supplement their diets with fresh, homegrown produce.

Community: Allotments are hubs of social connection, knowledge-sharing, and intergenerational learning.

Sustainability: They contribute to local biodiversity, reduce food miles, and promote eco-conscious living.

Mental health: Gardening has been repeatedly shown to improve mental wellbeing, providing peace, purpose, and a break from the stress of modern life.

The Potential Impact of Losing Allotments

Should councils begin to repurpose allotment sites for development — even if well-meaning in the name of housing — the ripple effects could be devastating:

Loss of affordable food options for vulnerable people.

Reduced access to green space, particularly in already deprived urban areas.

Erosion of community ties built over generations.

Long waiting lists made worse: In some parts of the UK, waiting times for an allotment already stretch to 5–10 years.

In many ways, it’s a clash between two urgent social needs — housing and sustainable food access. But must one come at the expense of the other?

What Can Be Done?

Campaigners are calling for Angela Rayner and her department to offer explicit protections for allotments within any upcoming planning reforms. Key actions include:

Ringfencing existing allotments from development, especially in areas with high waiting list demand.

Investing in new allotments, not just preserving old ones — particularly as urban populations grow.

Integrating food-growing spaces into new housing plans, rather than pitting the two against each other.

Recognising allotments as essential infrastructure — as important to community wellbeing as schools, roads, or libraries.

Final Thoughts

The idea that there’s a “war on allotments” may sound alarmist, but the fears aren’t unfounded. Allotments have always been vulnerable to short-term thinking — seen as expendable when the pressure for development mounts. But in a world grappling with climate change, food insecurity, and mental health crises, these green spaces are more vital than ever.

Angela Rayner and the government now have an opportunity to show that “levelling up” doesn’t mean tearing down the roots of community resilience. Instead of seeing allotments as a barrier to progress, they could be part of the solution — helping to build stronger, greener, more self-reliant communities.

Further Reading:

National Allotment Society: https://www.nsalg.org.uk

RHS Gardening Advice: https://www.rhs.org.uk

“The Waiting List Crisis” – A report from the Allotments Regeneration Initiative

https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/our-aims/learning-and-insights/allotments-regeneration-initiative/

If you want to join the campaign you can use this model letter:

Protect Our Allotments – Campaign Letter

Dear [Council Leader's Name],

I am writing to express my deep concern over the potential threat to our local allotments as part of recent discussions about land use and housing development. While I understand the urgent need for more housing, I believe that allotments are a vital part of our community and must be protected.

Allotments are not simply leisure spaces – they are essential for:

• Supporting food security by providing affordable, fresh produce

• Promoting physical and mental wellbeing for residents of all ages

• Encouraging biodiversity and sustainable living practices

• Building strong community connections across generations

Many people, including those on lower incomes, rely on their allotments to supplement their diets. In our area, the waiting list for an allotment is already significant, and losing plots would only deepen this crisis.

I urge the council to:

1. Ringfence all existing allotments from development.

2. Invest in new allotments to meet growing demand.

3. Integrate community food-growing spaces into all new housing developments.

Protecting allotments is an investment in the health, resilience, and sustainability of our community. Please ensure that these green spaces remain available for future generations.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Postcode]

[Your Email Address]