Local landowners are to be asked if they have any sites suitable for use as allotments, to meet an urgent need for more plots.

Town councillors have voted unanimously to actively seek small or medium-sized pieces of land that could be sold or rented to the council and, in turn, leased to local residents who want to grow fruit and vegetables.

The idea originally came up at February's meeting of the Civic Amenities Committee, whose members agreed to put the proposal forward to the full council – read more here.

At last Wednesday's meeting (March 3), councillors agreed that the current demand for allotments requires urgent action.

Town clerk Andrew McKenzie said there are currently about 70 people on the waiting list, and that during lockdown the demand has 'exploded', with new enquiries coming in every day, and great disappointment when people hear how long the queue is.

The councillors also felt that allotments would be of great benefit to people on low incomes, as they would be able to grow their own food – and that people of all ages would enjoy better mental wellbeing from spending time outside in the open air, cultivating their crops.

They unanimously voted for a proposal that the council should invite anyone with a suitable area of land – which doesn't have to be large – to offer it for consideration by the town council, with the proviso that there must also be some form of vehicular access.