BANDON Community Allotments needs to secure a new home because their current site is to be used for a future educational project in the town, a meeting heard last week.

The plight of up to 50 tenants who regularly use the allotment site at Cloughmacsimon was highlighted by Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) at last week’s meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District.

She said she has been contacted by a number of people about the imminent displacement of the allotments and called on Cork County Council to actively support the group in securing an alternative permanent site.

She highlighted the significant social, environmental and well-being benefits the project provides to the local community.

‘Bandon Community Allotments have become a valued community resource offering residents the opportunity to grow their own food, build social connections and engage in sustainable practices. The allotments support people of all ages and background and promotes physical activity, mental wellbeing and environmental awareness, while fostering a strong sense of community pride and inclusion,’ said Cllr Bambury.

‘With the long-term future of these allotment now uncertain I’m hoping Cork County Council can assist them and ensure that the project can continue to thrive.’

She noted that the new Planning and Development Act 2024 placed a statutory obligation on local authorities to include objectives for the reservation, protection and facilitation of land for allotments and community gardens within county development plans, as part of the Sustainable Places and Communities Strategy.

‘In light of these existing policy commitments I would urge the council to work collaboratively with Bandon Community Allotments to identify and secure a suitable, permanent alternative site in Bandon town for the continuation of these allotments.’

She said council officials should explore lands owned by the local authority and engage with the group on a partnership approach

‘We need to retain these allotments. We have an increased population in Bandon and we should be giving the opportunity to new residents to have the option of having a plot on a community allotment,’ she added.

‘Securing a permanent site for Bandon Community Allotments would safeguard an important community resource for current users and for future generations, reinforcing Bandon’s reputation as a town that value sustainability, inclusion and community-led initiatives.’

Municipal district officer Brian Dunne said he would urge the group to engage with him on this.  He said there isn’t a proposed site the council could offer them at the moment but he is engaging with the property section to see if there are any available sites within the municipal district that might suit their needs.