Lincoln allotments to be restored to use

Allotments in Lincoln which were almost sold off for housing are to be restored after nearly a decade.

Forty-four of the 112 plots at Yarborough Crescent were abandoned in 2002 due to lack of demand.

Despite the plans for houses, the area was left untouched and a surge in popularity for allotments has led to a waiting list of 185.

The council has now approved a £40,000 investment programme to bring the land back into use.

'Huge assest'

Deputy leader, Councillor Donald Nannestad, said: "Keeping an allotment is increasingly popular and has numerous benefits for a person's health - being out in the fresh air, keeping active and eating healthy home-grown produce to name just three.

"We want to reduce poverty and disadvantage in the city, and promote healthy lifestyles, and increasing the amount of available allotments is one way we could do this."

Alan Shuck, chairman of the North Lincoln Agricultural Society, said: "It is tremendously important because it is a way of life in some ways, to have your own fresh fruit and veg is a huge asset.

"And my message to the council is, 'Get these allotments back in use as soon as possible'."