Waiting lists for Allotments

notenoughcash

I would estimate that on the allotment site where I have my allotment at least 1/3 of the plots are severely overgrown. I waited over a year for mine, which I know is relatively short in comparison to some, but had I have been aware of how neglected so many plots were I would have been pestering constantly.

I wonder if it's possible to raise this with your local council? For example do they send warning letters if plots are being neglected or even not paid for? Aside from the weed spreading problem people who really want to work a plot are being held up. It's true that some people don't realise how hard work keeping a plot can be, especially with a busy work/family situation but surely there should be a timescale that if a plot isn't used it's lost??

matt987106

1 year for ours, the shame is the number of empty plots, though them being so cheap, people do not mind to pay the fee with the idea that 1 day they will get around to it

Yorkie1

cobwizard wrote: »

Is there a standard size for an allotment or are they all different? Luckily I have my own back garden which isn't overly big but have managed to fit in 2 greenhouses and 17 deep beds 8' x 4'

A traditional full size allotment is 10 rods, about 300 sq yards.

Yorkie1

kittie wrote: »

anyone with more than one allotment should have to give back the extra sites and anyone not working their sites should also have to give it back and imo all sites should be half a plot to start with

I agree with your second and third points; it's what happens on our sites.

But whilst I can see why you make the first point, those people with more than one plot are generally the people who you have to thank for there being allotments still available for you to wait to rent. In the 70s and 80s in particular, allotments went completely out of fashion and it was only the stalwarts with more than one plot who kept the sites even remotely viable. They struggled against apathy, derelict and weedy sites and fought battles to keep some sites open against pressure to sell them off.

Now that it's become fashionable to grow your own again (and that is not intended as a disparaging comment), they shouldn't be kicked off the plots they have lovingly tended for decades.

naturalsuperwoman

This seems quite good. I'm 82nd on the plot I have my name down for Sheffield and have been told to expect a MINIMUM waiting time of 7 years!

yumyums

I can't even get on the waiting list for an allotment! Been trying for months

3v3

I have a large garden; maybe I should offer some of it out locally for people to grow veggies and charge a percentage of the produce.

yumyums

3v3 wrote: »

I have a large garden; maybe I should offer some of it out locally for people to grow veggies and charge a percentage of the produce.

I think you should do it! I'd definitely make use of my neighbour's garden if they were offering

Yorkie1

3v3 wrote: »

I have a large garden; maybe I should offer some of it out locally for people to grow veggies and charge a percentage of the produce.

Have you heard of the Landshare scheme initiated by Hugh F-W? Don't think you get to make a profit out of it though.