The UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner Rayner has declared war on allotments.
She has given councils the green light to sell assets, like allotment sites, in order to raise funds for day to day spending.
Allotments have deep roots in the Britain’s working-class culture and have long been protected across the country…..until now….
Allotment owners have already warned it will be “pitchforks at dawn” if their plots are sold for housing
Allotment owners warn of 'pitchforks at dawn' if land is sold for housing https://t.co/zgFvdbElGr
— Eastern Daily Press (@EDP24) August 12, 2025
The Telegraph reports: She has already personally approved the sale of eight allotment sites across England since Labour came to power. Under the Allotment Act 1925, any disposal of allotment sites requires Westminster to give the go-ahead.
Those that have already been sold include a site in Storrington, West Sussex, that will make way for 78 new homes. Residents have said the decision is “extremely disappointing”.
Ms Rayner has also given approval for two allotments in Ashfield, Notts, and two in Bolsover, Derbyshire, to be closed.
The Telegraph previously reported that the new rules on council asset sales could lead to the disposal of school playing fields, which a Government spokesman said should only happen where “absolutely necessary”.
But the changes allow local authorities “to determine how best to use this flexibility”, according to Jim McMahon, a housing minister, in a response to a parliamentary question from the Conservatives.
He added that the Government “expects all decisions to demonstrate value for money and to be in the best interests of local residents”.
Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, condemned the changes and said they displayed a “complete disdain for protecting valued green spaces”.
“Angela Rayner giving the green light for councils to sell off allotments is a kick in the teeth to local people who don’t have access to their own gardens,” he said.
“On top of the Labour Government encouraging councils to sell off their playing fields, it yet again shows Labour’s lazy embrace of building on parks and green spaces rather than places where homes are needed and wanted.”
