Clegg’s cities will be built around allotments with families encouraged to grow their own food
On a non-political basis this story makes me think: well done – there is real interest in growing, gardening and living as inter-related concepts. Lets hope his proposed green revolution takes off. This article tells us
Families living in new garden cities would be encouraged to grow their own food in allotments under plans drawn up by Nick Clegg.
The Deputy Prime Minister wants to create planned communities with at least 15,000 homes each across the South of England centred around large garden plots.
His vision of the modern ‘Good Life’ was unveiled yesterday after years of wrangling with the Tories.
A document for ‘locally-led garden cities’ said they should provide ‘opportunities for residents to grow their own food, including generous allotments’.
Aides later said this would encourage ‘sustainability’ and that surveys showed people valued allotments and growing their own vegetables.
Ministers will start working on plans for three garden cities by the end of August.
Mr Clegg vowed to cut help remove planning red tape and secure a share of the £2.4 billion funding for private developers.
But officials have stressed that the garden cities must be backed by local residents to get the go ahead.