Hidden behind the winding corridors of semi-detached houses and cul-de-sacs in Swanscombe, a huge patchwork of allotments the length of two football pitches produces a rich variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Most of the plots near Keary Road are brimming with life, but scattered among them are some barren rectangles of land neglected by their occupants.

The plots are available to rent from as little as £30 a year, but each one is about the size of a doubles tennis court which may explain why they are going to waste.

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So chairman Gwen Prior and treasurer Annie Littel of the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Allotments and Gardens Association are pushing the parish council to allow the leasing of half plots.

“People who have busy working lives don’t necessarily have the time to grow a whole plot full of vegetables,” said Annie.

“They end up giving up or just not coping. Whereas a half plot, or even a third plot, is something people will find affordable and achievable.

“It will allow them to get in touch with growing their own vegetables without feeling like they have got to give up every waking hour of their spare time.”

In order for the association to distribute smaller plots, it needs the go-ahead from Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council.

Graham Blew, town clerk, said that the council was open to the idea but needed to see there was a demand for it.

“There is nothing to say it won’t happen in the future, but it would duplicate the amount of administration involved so we need to see that the interest is there.”

This is why Gwen is calling on anyone with green-fingered interests, who can dedicate time to keeping a good plot, to get involved.

Watch: Reporter Ben Kennedy digs up the story from allotment users in Swanscombe

Gwen, who has looked after the same allotment for almost 30 years, said: “I would like to see the plots back to the way they used to be when I first had the allotment. I want to see them all worked properly.

“We are trying to build back the community spirit that there used to be and we want to hear from people who want to work the plots properly, but we need a lot more eager gardeners.”

The task of rounding up more growers should start to become easier in the future as one of their main plots is just on the border of where the Ebbsfleet Garden City is to be built.

Gwen says the arrival of the garden city further strengthens the case for smaller plots if more people moving here become interested in having an allotment.

At the moment, however, they are struggling to raise awareness of the fact there are currently plots available – putting the land at risk.

Annie said: “There are about five plots that will be surrendered next year which will be up for grabs and at the moment we have no waiting list whatsoever – which is a crying shame.

“If there is no demand we will lose the facility so we desperately want people to show that they’re interested.”

Despite the problems, the association has been working to turn the land into even more of a community asset by creating wheelchair access to the grounds.

Annie said: “We have managed to persuade the council to give a plot to Dartford Men’s Sheds (a men’s support group) for three months, free of rent.

“They are going to convert it to a disabled access plot so that people in wheelchairs will be able to visit the site.”

For information on how you can gain your own plot, visit www.swanscombeandgreenhithetc.kentparishes.gov.uk