With large losses last year, the Axis centre’s reserves will be gone by the middle of next year, says its voluntary chair Declan Dunne – unless something changes.
The rules vary, with some sites allowing plot-holders a lot of leeway, and others making it hard to bring in certain measures that would support biodiversity.
Allotments were closed roughly five weeks ago, but there has been ongoing debate around whether it was the right step. Meanwhile, some growers have found stopgaps.
Councillors discussed the fate of allotment holders pushed out of Weaver Square, plans for developing Cherry Orchard, and results of a traffic-calming experiment.
Council officials want to press ahead with plans for a big depot at Marrowbone Lane – and have started the process. Some councillors and residents are resisting.
The council plans to move out the onions, peas, chard, raspberries and children digging in the dirt, and build social housing for some of the hundreds of families in the area who are on the waiting for it.
A community garden, allotments, and a Men’s Shed are being evicted so the council can build a new park. The plan includes bringing them back once it’s ready, but recent events have the gardeners worried.
The number of allotments in Dublin has been growing, but not fast enough to meet demand – waiting lists can be long. Dublin City Council is working on that.
