To tackle food insecurity, we need to grow more food in our communities. A supportive planning system can safeguard land for local food growing, and it’s time to act NOW before it’s too late.
What is Planning?
Planning is about managing the future development and use of land in the long-term public interest. The current National Planning Framework (NPF4) puts global climate and nature crises at the heart of its vision and seeks to deliver sustainable, liveable, productive places.
Local Development Plans (LDPs) establish the future use of land and plan infrastructure and facilities at the local authority level. Food growing on suitable land close to where we live will play a central role in supporting food security and delivering sustainable, resilient places, connecting us to nature, food and each other. Local Development Plans (LDP’s) need to safeguard suitable land in communities and include policies to support and enable the delivery of food growing spaces close to where people live.
Local authorities are gathering evidence and calling for ideas in people’s experience of a local area and what is required for the future. If your community wants to grow more fresh food together, improve your local area, and invest in community connection and well-being, we can help. https://getgrowingscotland.org/startgrowing/
Why it matters:
Timescales for preparing and delivering LDP’s are changing from 5-10 years. This new schedule, alongside an emphasis on community involvement, presents a time-limited opportunity to safeguard land on our doorsteps for food growing spaces.
Community food isn’t recognised in the planning system as essential infrastructure and it needs to be. Community food initiatives—in all forms, from allotments to community gardens, market gardens to school gardens- are an essential component in the food system change we need. We can grow more food locally year-round, sharing skills and energy and when we do, we all benefit.
If you want to ensure some local food security and nature restoration, ACT now! You may have a positive example to share, or you may want land in new developments to include dedicated land for food growing and infrastructure such as polytunnels, water, and tool storage.
ACT NOW
With a new emphasis on community voices in our planning system, there are a number of different opportunities for you to have your say. All local authorities must publish a Development Plan Scheme outlining how they plan to consult communities- if you have missed one stage, you may well be able to respond at another. If you want to participate but need help navigating the system, do make contact. If enough of us advocate for community-led food growing, we can begin to develop our voice and build consistency in local development planning across Scotland.