FIFERS are being denied the chance to grow with 2,100 people on a waiting list for an allotment.

And demand is highest in Dunfermline with more residents putting their name down for a Fife Council plot.

Councillor Lea McLelland said: “I’m not shocked to see the amount of people on the waiting list.

"Coming on the back of the cost of living crisis we’re in, people want to feel as if they’re fighting back and their way of fighting back is to produce and manage, maintain and eat their own food – and no one has the garden space to do that.” 

Fife Council have a legal obligation to provide allotments but they don't have to offer anything else like community gardens or other types of community growing spaces.

“Like other local authorities Fife has recognised a desire for other types of growing like raised beds, orchards or community gardens,” explained Peter Duncan, Fife’s garden allotments officer.

“There is a place for traditional style allotments and there always will be, but I think some people want to dip in and out of projects without making a full time commitment.

"I think there are different models throughout Scotland that Fife could replicate very easily."  

A recent survey found that the Dunfermline area in particular is one of the areas seeing the most demand for allotments due to housing expansions and overspill from Edinburgh. 

It also showed that the majority of people on the waiting list are older, retired residents keen to pass their knowledge on to the next generation. 

Cllr McLelland added: “I do think there are people who can still manage allotments on their own, but community involvement and community spirit allows people to decide how much they are tied to a garden.

"I think community projects are absolutely the right way to go." 

Allotments have been hailed for their social aspect, it's a good way to meet like-minded people, as well as the mental and physical health benefits of a relaxing environment, and the chance to improve your wellbeing and exercise regime through gardening, digging and getting some fresh air.

There's also the satisfaction, and boost to your finances, that comes from growing your own food.

There were reports that the council were looking at creating allotments in the Public Park in Dunfermline, as well as sites in Duloch and to the north of the city centre, but the local authority was non-committal, saying only that a number potential sites in the area were being investigated.

The council currently manage 33 allotments, although there are other plots throughout the Kingdom.

In Dunfermline there are sites at Calais View, Whirlbut Street and Nith Street, there are also plots at Townhill Country Park, Earls Row in Kelty, Nith Street, St Colme Crescent in Aberdour, Keavil in Crossford and Hope Street in Inverkeithing,