To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to ask local authorities for information on local quality and quantity provision standards for allotments as referred to in Planning and Policy Guidance Note 17.

The Secretary of State does not have any plans to ask local authorities for information on the standards of provision for allotments. Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 places a duty on local authorities (except for inner London boroughs) to provide allotments where they perceive a demand for them in their area.

Planning Policy Guidance Note 17(PPG17) encourages local authorities to assess the existing and future needs of their communities for open spaces more generally and, where appropriate, address deficiencies. It also states that authorities should allocate sites within their plans for the provision of new open spaces. PPG 17 advises local authorities to use the information gained from their assessments of needs and opportunities to set locally derived standards for the provision of open space, sports and recreation facilities in their areas.