There’s “Allot “going on

The Freemen of Newcastle have enabled the provision of allotments for many years, as the second largest provider of allotments space in the City (after Urban Green & Newcastle City Council). Based on an average plot size of 125 sq.m. and factoring in space for access paths etc. we provide space for over 1,000 allotments. We are fully aware of the benefits allotments provide, including initiatives such as educational links and biodiversity; growing food and flowers has proven benefits for both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Nuns Moor South Allotments

This is the former allotment site at Brighton Grove. City Officers and the Freemen worked hard over several years to make this allotment site work, however despite our best efforts and those of some individuals in the Association, the site was beset with ongoing management issues, vandalism, criminal damage, non-compliance with the lease and dereliction. Eventually, after many complaints (including concern from the local Police), there was no other recourse but to end the lease on the site. After reviewing the options for the site, it was assessed that given the shortage of green open space, particularly in the Arthurs Hill and Walters Terrace areas, the site should no-longer be closed off to the public and would give greatest long term amenity to the majority of the community and the City by being made available as an open space for enjoyment, leisure, air and exercise, and visual amenity. The derelict buildings/structures have

been removed from site, the land has been graded, new topsoil has been applied, in consultation with City Officers new drainage systems have been designed and installed, and the site has been reseeded. A tree planting scheme and fence renewal are planned along the boundary with Nuns Moor Park, this will be done in dialogue with Urban Green and Greening Wingrove. Already this has opened up a beautiful new vista from Fenham Hall Drive, Barrack Road and Brighton Grove, particularly important on this main route into the City.

Moor Bank Gardens

This was a private site adjacent to our operational premises, and with shared access, leased by Newcastle University for academic purposes. In due course the site became out of date and surplus to requirements for the University, and they terminated the lease. When the University vacated the site there were a number of structures left on site, including a large area of old greenhouses. The greenhouses, heating and electrical systems were in need of maintenance and no longer fit for purpose, in particular the safety issues related to the glass structures were noted. With this in mind the buildings/ structures have been removed from site. In reality this was not a ‘Botanic’ garden, it was an academic/educational facility and although a relatively small number of volunteers did help out with maintenance it was not open to the public. The topology and tree cover of the lower part of the site makes it unsuitable for allotments. The area cleared of structures is now part of our operational site.

We look forward to continuing to protect and maintain the environment of Newcastle and to work with our partners to ensure public amenity, mitigate climate change, enable sustainable travel (stroll, walk, jog, cycle etc.), contribute to mental health well-being, maintain biodiversity etc. etc.

While other people talk about saving the planet, the Freemen of Newcastle actually do it on a daily basis!

West Jesmond Allotments