Douglas Council is considering expanding its allotment scheme to give people living in flats and city centre homes greater access to green spaces.

Council leader Devon Watson says his motion would allow residents to use these areas to grow food, plants or create habitats for wildlife.

The local authority already has a waiting list for ratepayers seeking allotments, and he hopes the proposal will encourage more people to apply.

Mr Watson said that, if approved, the scheme would initially be trialled in selected areas before being expanded.

‘This is part of our broader democratisation agenda,’ Mr Watson explained. ‘Democratisation doesn’t just mean creating more democratic internal structures, it also involves public assets and distributing land to people who need and can make better use of it.

‘There’s a lot of people who would like to use disused or empty land to grow local food, beautify the spot or create a habitat for urban animals, and I think that is absolutely essential.

‘A lot of this is going to be concentrated within estates, such as Willaston, Spring Valley, Anagh Coar and Pulrose. But I also think that there’s a lot of council owned green land that is scattered throughout the city, and being able to have people who live in town have the opportunity to garden is absolutely amazing.’

Asked how the proposed scheme would operate, Mr Watson explained that the council already runs an allotment system with a waiting list, which would form part of the project.

‘We’re going to make that waiting list more accessible for more people, and give more people that opportunity,’ Mr Watson added.

‘We will roll it out in a few areas, see if it works, and then adjust the approach from there.’

The motion is due to be debated at the council’s January meeting.