Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is set to invest just under £300,000 to help improve allotments for the borough’s green-fingered residents.

To enhance these popular plots, work is underway to assess the council’s 42 allotments sites and identify where improvements are most needed.

These may include replacing toilet blocks, enhancing access paths, improving site security and adding water troughs and compost bins.

With the council’s 1,160 allotment plots across the borough in high demand, work is also taking place to establish more plots on unused areas at some of the sites. Through this approach, 16 new plots will be created at the allotments at Churchill Way in Brookvale, South View and Whiteditch in Norden and Kelvin Hill in South Ham.

Cabinet Member for Residents Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “Our allotments are important spaces and we understand the value of them to our residents, particularly those in town centre locations with smaller or no gardens. They give people of all ages the opportunity to get out in the fresh air, exercise and socialise with other like-minded people.

“We already manage 42 allotment sites and the demand for these prized plots is high. We are working to create additional plots where we can.

“But it’s also important the facilities at the allotments we manage are up to standard. This is why we are planning nearly £300,000 of improvements ranging from new toilets to new water troughs and compost bins. These improvements will help to enhance the experience for our allotment holders and keep Basingstoke and Deane blooming!”

For more information on the borough council’s allotments visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/allotments