Allotment Guide

Allotments have their own legislation which dictate how allotments should be used. This page provides a Plain English interpretation of the legislation.

Persistently breaking any of rules mentioned will result in you being sent a Notice to Quit your allotment plot.

Do

• You can plant herbs and flowers as well as fruit and vegetables
• If your site has gates, you must always ensure you lock them behind you
• You can bring your dog on site as long as it’s kept on a lead at all times
• You can build a pond, as long as it’s built in a way that’s not dangerous to people and animals
• You can have a small lawned area as long as it’s regularly mown
• You must erect a clearly visible number board on your plot
• Fruit trees can be grown but should not exceed 2 metres (we would suggest using a dwarf roof stock)
• Dwarf fruit trees such as apple and pear trees may  be grown in restricted forms such as espaliers or cordons
• If you have fruit bushes/ trees etc, you must maintain the area around them
• You must cultivate and keep free from weeds at least 75 per cent of your plot
• If there is a shed on the plot you must maintain it in a serviceable and safe condition
• You must pay your allotment invoice with 40 days of receiving it
• Always inform the Allotments Officer if you change your address
• Permit entry to shed/structures for allotment staff at any time requested
• If you vacate the plot, you must remove all belongings immediately
• Paths either side of your plot should be maintained and kept to a minimum width of 50cm 500mm)
• Always inform us if you have any problems
• You are responsible for maintaining the inside of any hedge adjacent to your plot
• You are responsible for any hedges or trees within your plot
• Use water sparingly
• Compost and recycle as much as you can
• Get permission from the Allotments Office if you wish to erect structures or if you wish to keep chickens, rabbits or bees on the plot

Don't

• You are not allowed to sublet your plot or transfer your tenancy
• You are not allowed to use your plot for any trade or business
• You are not allowed to bring onto or use carpets on allotment plots
• You are not allowed to bring rubbish onto the site or store it on your plot
• You are not allowed to block communal pathways
• You are not allowed to have smoky bonfires that cause a nuisance or leave fires unattended
• You must not use a sprinkler system to water crops
• You are not allowed to stay overnight on your allotment plot
• You are not allowed to cause a nuisance to other plotholders or neighbouring householders – for example, nuisance could include bad language, threats, getting drunk, playing loud music or racist language 
• You or your children are not allowed to go onto other peoples plots unless they have given you permission to do so
• You are not allowed to dig up paths between plot
• You are not allowed to use any form of harassment or violence on-site, be it physical or verbal
• You are not allowed to let your dog stray onto or foul on paths or plots
• You are not allowed to give your key to other people or allow them to visit your plot unsupervised
• You are not allowed to bring firearms onto allotment sites
• You are not allowed to keep cockerels, turkeys, pigeons, pigs, sheep, goats or horses on allotment plots
• You must not bring any harmful objects onto the site, such as, banned chemicals, asbestos, builders rubble, broken glass, scrap metal, tyres and general refuse

Cultivation requirements

• From the start of your tenancy, you have a three month probationary period in which enforcement for non-cultivation is not applicable.
• Good cultivation involves a regular level of work with crops planted or ground prepared ready for planting and a virtually weed-free plot.
• If you have fruit bushes/ trees, the area around them must be maintained to a high standard and not be allowed to become overgrown and covered in weeds.
• You should not allow your plot to become covered in weeds that seed or spread.
• If you fail to pay your invoice within 40 days or fail to improve the condition of your plot following enforcement letters being issued, you will be issued with a one-month Notice to Quit.