Did you know?

Probably raising an old issue but worth repeating.

Local Authorities have a legal obligation to provide allotment resources should 6 or more residents within their Authority request it, this applies to Authorites with over subscribed current allotment facilities.

It's the law, get 5 mates and use it!

 

We don't have allotments here. But when Carl got his, I had some questions. And now I have another one.
How long does one keep their allotment, I gather there is a rental fee? or am I wrong, if there is a rental fee then I guess when you miss the fee, its gone?

 

I'm talking about the UK redstar but what the heck, try it over there in the U.S, doubt your authorities will want to be out "lawed" by the old country? :D

We tend to pay a small rent per year for our allotments amounting to little or no more than $50 in your currency.

 

Vince I think the law applies to most places throughout England where under the allotment act the local council are obliged to supply land if at least six registered parliamentary electors or people who pay their council tax are interested to 'grow their own'.

I think this doesn't include London mind simply as it's so densely populated and spare land is far valuable and much more needed for housing rather than food growing..... madness I know but I'm sure that's correct.Hel.xxx.

 

If you dont pay your allotment rent then you will get a reminder, failing that you will get two more reminders and then the committee has the right to take the plot off you. Reason for this because there is now a waiting list at most allotment sites.

 

Fancy our problem down on our plots is that some of the old guys refuse to work their plots or to give them up I know of at least two of which I have never seen in all the time we have had our plot. Our committee sends them a letter but doesn't follow through with evicting them which doesn't seem right as we have now got a waiting list.

Truth be told there are two spare plots near us that I don't think anyone will be prepared to take on our old second plot that we just cleared and a second little paddock as most people still think that they can just walk onto a plot and plant straight away!

There are not many people like Bob and I that likes a challenge and gets stuck in, my only worry now is that Bob keeps looking at the other little paddock and our old No.2 plot as if he wants to take them on as well...first the allotments then the entire WORLD!:D Hel.xxx.

 

It does apply to London!!! (I live in London). There are many places in our cities that could be used as allotments if only people asked and demanded as is their right?

 

How does this work if you have an allotment site near bye but can't get in? Waiting lists and all.

Thet're also taking allotment land.

 

Who are taking allotment land, Sweetpea?

 

I'm biting the bullet and contacting 2 seperate allotment managers next week to see how long the waiting list is. Our garden is too small to grow veggies AND have full of flowers AND to keep chickens and an allotment seems the only way forward.

 

Yes David

 

Sussexgardener you might have a problem with finding a site that allows livestock as not all sites allow people to keep them.

In fact the one that does (or should I write 'did') allow chickens etc. on their site in our villlage is not allowing anymore people to keep chickens on their site as the site is caught up in a legal wrangle with a posh housing estate that was built around the allotment site. The people are complaining that they have rats around their homes and are not best pleased.

The committee have spoken their case saying the allotments were there long before the houses so the owners (of the houses) knew what was near their homes long before they brought them .......it's still going on and it's not nice at all.

You might find yourself an alloment but one that allows livestock as well might be really harder to find. But saying that good luck and I wish you well.Hel.xxx.

 

We are having another patch cleared up in the Spring to make way for another 9 plots as our waiting list is getting rather too long.

 

I'm happy with the chickens staying in the garden. We only have 5 and they're very definitely pets; the eggs are an added bonus.

I'd be looking at the allotment for growing veggies only, perhaps adding a cut flower patch eventually, but walk before I can run etc etc...