CALLS have been made for more allotments in Barry, where more than 600 names are currently on a waiting list.

Recently published figures show that the waiting list for allotments in the Vale of Glamorgan currently has more than 700 names with 603 names registered as awaiting an allotment in Barry.

Although some names may be listed several times across multiple areas, and so the figures do not equate to 603 people, a councillor has said that the Vale of Glamorgan council has "an unmet need for allotments in Barry" that the "Vale Council should be looking to support".

The longest waiting lists for allotment spaces in Barry are for New Beggarswell on Severn Avenue, Palmerston and the former Slaughterhouse near Jenner Park.

Plaid Cymru councillor Ian Johnson said that increasing the number of available allotments was a council objective in the Visible Services department, and expressed concern that there were so many on the waiting list.

“The Vale of Glamorgan Council has more than 700 names on its’ allotment waiting list, with more than 600 in Barry alone", he said.

“Although this may include some people registering for more than one location, it shows that there is an unmet need for allotments in Barry in particular that the Vale Council should be looking to support.

“I met one family recently who use their allotment to teach their children about the importance of locally grown and produced food so that they can understand how food grows - and that it doesn’t just come ready made in a supermarket packet.

“Allotments help us with sustainability in the environment. They are green lungs in an urban environment, and can reduce waste from packaging and food miles from farm to fork.

“Gardening can also help improve mental as well as physical well-being and help people to live an active and healthy lifestyle, whatever their age.

“It is important that the council meets this currently unmet need in Barry.”