More than £100,000 is being shared between 16 community groups to improve allotments across South Cambridgeshire.
More than £100,000 is being shared between 16 community groups to improve allotments across South Cambridgeshire.
The three main areas for funding are improving toilets, enhancing pest control, and ensuring reliable water provision such as mains water connections or rainwater harvesting systems.
Other projects include storage sheds, an apple juicing kit, picnic benches, and accessible pathways.
The funding is designed to ensure allotments are inclusive and accessible for all, remain thriving, promote improved physical health and mental wellbeing and strengthen community connections. Projects are also encouraged to deliver environmentally friendly solutions wherever possible.
Individual grants of up to £10,000 have been awarded to successful applicants as part of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Allotment Improvement Grant programme.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "These grants will make a real difference to local communities by improving facilities and creating welcoming spaces that support health, wellbeing, and sustainability. We are proud to help transform allotment sites into vibrant, welcoming spaces that bring people together, strengthen community connections and promote outdoor activity. Our aim is to support residents to enjoy the benefits of fresh air, fresh produce and healthy living for years to come.”
The following organisations will received funding:
- Balsham Parish Council - £5,000
Water main installation with taps - Duxford Parish Council - £10,000
Rainwater harvesting system, accessible pathways, raised beds, sheltered meeting area, furniture - Hope Against Poverty CIC - £9,466.97
Water main installation and car park/path improvements - Milton Parish Council - £3,000
Borehole and hand pump installations - Hale Road Allotment and Gardening Association in Swavesey - £3,120
Pest control fencing - Histon and Impington Parish Council - £5,000
Water main installation - Oakington and Westwick Allotment Society - £4,500
Rainwater collection and storage system - Dry Drayton Parish Council Allotments – £5,720
Pest control fencing - Shepreth Parish Council - £8,592
- Rainwater collection system Pest control fencing, internal plot partitions
- Orwell Parish Council Allotments - £3,228.23
Water butts sheds, picnic tables, paving, padlocks - Ickleton Allotment Association - £7,723
Waterless toilet, storage sheds, pergola, apple juicing kit, orchard water trough - St George’s Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association Melbourn - £10,000
Pest control/secure fencing - Steeple Morden Allotment and Gardens Society - £2,770.39
Workshop including base, accessories, and guttering - Foxton Gardens Association - £10,000
Gateway improvements, communal area development, storage enhancements, tools and fencing - Histon and Impington Town Charity - £3,600
Security fencing - Bar Hill Allotment Society - £8,316 for metal dip tanks, paths, and fencing
Cllr Natalie Warren Green, the District's Lead Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "By supporting projects like rainwater harvesting, waterless toilets, and accessible pathways, we’re helping communities reduce environmental impact while enjoying the benefits of growing their own food. These initiatives reflect our commitment to tackling climate challenges locally and ensuring everyone can play a part in greener living."
The Allotment Improvement Grants prioritises groups with limited fundraising capacity. All projects must deliver both tangible benefits and social value and be completed by the end of June 2027.
The grant scheme was introduced by Cllr Bill Handley, the District Council’s former Lead Cabinet Member for Communities, and builds on principles set out in an Allotment Toolkit which provides support to Parish Councils and others overseeing allotments in South Cambridgeshire.
Cllr Handley, a district councillor for Willingham and Over, said: “Allotments offer so much in terms of physical and mental wellbeing. It was a great comfort to me to be able to get outdoors with a purpose and spend time on my allotment during the Covid lockdowns and to be able to speak (or, rather, shout!) to other allotment holders. The aim was to make allotments more accessible to families by installing toilet facilities and to make the plots more productive by providing water – especially in our area, which is the driest in the UK. I’m delighted that some good has come from this initiative.”
The allotment funding was approved at a recent meeting of the District Council’s Grants Advisory Committee
For more information about the grant scheme or future funding opportunities, please contact duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 712987.
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