There is a statutory duty on Local Authorities to provide allotments if there is demand. If six residents of the authority want an allotment, and there are none available, then they can request that the relevant allotment authority provide them. See the Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908 section 23 – revised.
What are allotment rules?
The allotment rules are given to each tenant at the start of their tenancy, and also sent with the rent reminder whenever the rules are reprinted. The tenant is responsible for any person they invite onto the allotments and for making them aware of the rules and health and safety guidance.
Do you have to pay for an allotment in the UK?
There’s an annual non-refundable rent for an allotment. The current season’s fees are: £79.13 per plot of any area up to 179m. £158.26 per plot of any area over 179m2 up to 300m.
How do you get an allotment in the UK?
Contact your local council to apply for an allotment near you. They will either allocate you a plot or, in many cases, add your name to a waiting list.
Are allotments protected?
Mechanisms of Protection
Only ‘statutory’ allotment sites have legal protection: the Allotments Act 1925 provides that the Secretary of State must be asked for consent before a ‘statutory’ allotment site can be disposed of by a local authority.
Are allotments a legal requirement?
Yes. If the council believes that there is a demand for allotments; they have a statutory duty to provide a sufficient number of plots.
Can you fence your allotment?
There is no specific restriction on fencing around plots, but any fence must not affect any neighbouring allotment tenants. In general, if you wish to train climbing plants up trellis, this should be at least half a metre away from the path.
What are the disadvantages of having an allotment?
Allotments that have been used to grow fruit and vegetables for many years (some for over 60 years) will harbour many pests and diseases. As the land is never allowed to go fallow, pest populations can build-up and can be difficult to eradicate.
How much does an allotment cost in the UK?
Allotment rent
The annual rent for an allotment plot is £13.98 per 25 square metres, plus a flat charge of £9 for water. We will be increasing annual rent to £14.26 per 25 square meters from 25 September 2022. This water charge does not apply to plots at Lyncombe Vale, which has a stream rather than piped water.
What should you not do in an allotment?
Five Things NOT to do When You Get Your First Allotment
- Don’t try to do it all at once.
- Don’t expect supermarket veg.
- Don’t lose sleep over the weeds.
- Don’t ignore your neighbours.
- Forget Instagram-ready plots.
Can you sleep on an allotment?
b) Overnight sleeping on the allotment is strictly prohibited.
Can an allotment feed a family?
If managed properly, an allotment can produce enough food to supplement a family’s weekly shop, with fresh fruit and vegetables over the year.
Is it worth having an allotment?
It promotes a sustainable way of living, and arguably, the impact to society of living unsustainably will come at a much higher cost. It is just at the individual level, and certainly at the start, it is likely an allotment holder will spend more on their plot than they will save on their food bill.
Can an allotment be taken away?
This means the Secretary of State’s consent is not required for the disposal of temporary allotment sites but the allotment authority will usually be required to give plot holders 12 months notice to quit before the land can be used for another purpose.
Can I BBQ in allotment?
You are not permitted to erect any other type of building or structure on the allotment site. You may have a barbeque on your plot for your immediate family, provided that you consider your neighbours and do not spoil their enjoyment of their plot.
How many hours a week do you keep an allotment?
Q: How much time should I spend each week on my allotment? A: This is down to you, but you’ll probably find that once you start planting things, you will need a minimum of four or five hours a week to keep things ticking over in terms of weed and pest control, planting and picking the produce.
Do councils have to provide water to allotments?
The council may improve the allotment land, but is under no statutory obligation to provide a particular level of services such as water or electricity. Councils can build on allotment land if they provide alternative sites.
How often do you need to tend to an allotment?
Challenge 3 – Time Management! Allotments need regular visits. It is recommended to visit at least twice a week to keep on top of the weeding and in hot weather you might need to water your crops every day.
Can I use my allotment as a garden?
It must be under a quarter of an acre in size; and. The tenant must plan to use it to grow crops or vegetables to feed themselves or their family. In some circumstances, it can also be sufficient if the tenant later starts to use the land to grow produce, even if that was not the original purpose of the tenancy.
Can animals be kept on an allotment?
Animals must not be kept on allotments, or anywhere else, unless their welfare needs can be provided for (as set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006). Allotments and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Can you have animals on an allotment?
Under the 1950 Allotment Act, the keeping of hens and rabbits is permitted on allotments and viewed as an allotment holder’s right, so long as they are for the tenants own use and not for business or profit.