Congratulations you have a plot....oh no sorry you don't....Argh!!

[Onion patch]

Hi All,

I've only just joined the forum and just wanted to get something off my chest and see if anyone had similar problems with Council run allotment sites. I'm going mad!!

I have been on a waiting list for an allotment for a little over two years. There is a very small site (9 plots) a five minute walk from our house and about three weeks ago I finally had the news I had been waiting for!

Apparently two plots had become available and I could pick one as it was my turn next! Hoorah! So off we went, checked it out, signed the paperwork, got the keys, paid....THEN two days ago I get an email saying there had been a mix up and I should have been offered a different plot as the plot I had been offered was under cultivation....

Right. Does this look cultivated to you?



Anyway, apparently the plot next to it was the one available. I did respond to say that I was surprised by that comment given the state of the plot and in the meantime we had turned it into this...



But not one to hold a grudge and everyone makes mistakes I kind of said ok, never mind stuff happens I'll take the one next to it (which was in a better state anyway - although not much...)

Then I get another message saying, really sorry but there has been another mix up and that plot has now been paid for the next year too but there would be another plot....

At this point I've lost all hope really.

Apparently the plot that is available is right over on the other side. I did have a look and it would be fine but in the meantime it had been offered to the next person after me on the waiting list and the Council said they would have to retract that offer to offer it to me and I'm not terribly keen on getting someone else booted off the site.

I have asked the Council to confirm with the tenant of the first plot offered if they are sure they want to keep it on and provided the two photos above saying that it was really disappointing that people are allowed to hang on to plots and not do anything with them whilst waiting lists are getting longer and longer...

Anyway, watch this space - who knows what will happen. After a flurry of emails yesterday I have heard nothing at all today.

Has anyone else come across similar problems? There are only 9 plots! How can it all go so wrong??

Anyway - wish me luck. Rant over.

Hope you are all having better luck!

[Guest]

Unfortunately allotments don't come very high on councils lists.

Where I used to live, an allotment committee spent three years trying to get something with council supposedly all for it and in the end the commitee set up 60 private plots.

[Guest]

Oh, hi and welcome to the vine

[Scarlet]

Hello Onion Patch and welcome to the vine. What a disappointment! I'm surprised that they can retract their offer as you have paid and have the keys...have you handed them back? such a disappointment. Perhaps you can take a few more photos over the next few weeks with progress on number1 plot and make some serious noise if it's not touched.

[cariann88]

Hello and welcome

[skeggijon]

Welcome to the vine. If it was me I'd refuse to accept a retraction - you've already paid and been given keys. Possession is 9/10ths of the law as they say. If the council has accepted your money and your signed tenancy agreement, then they have no comeback

[Martin H]

Hi and welcome to the vine!

I'm sorry that I have no advice to offer, but I hope that everything works out for you and that you get the plot that you obviously deserve.

Once you've overcome the problems, there's plenty of time to get an overgrown plot ship-shape before Spring.

Good luck!

[Bigmallly]

Hello Onion Patch & welcome to the jungle, you are obviously a kind of person who doesn't want to ruffle any feathers (that's what us Yorkshire folk are like.............). I hope you get it sorted & is in your favour.

[alldigging]

Whose keys did they give you?

[Noosner]

Hello Onion Patch, how very annoying! I think Norfork Grey is right and allotments don't come very high on Councils' lists. I would keep pestering away at them and hopefully it will come good. If you send enough letters that someone has to answer, eventually they will do something to keep you quiet! Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you, by the way?

[Zelenina]

Hi Onion patch. Here's a post specially for you

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1292080

[Knight of Albion]

A very warm welcome to the forum, dear Onion Patch.

If you've paid and had your money accepted, and been giving keys and a receipt, that constitutes a legal contract.
I think you have legal rights if you wished to pursue that side of things. Though it would ruffle feathers. Which is hardly the best start to the allotment 'community' ...
I hope you can get it fairly and amicably resolved.

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome Onion Patch. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution and congratulations on your civilized approach so far, despite all the provocation!

[Verinda]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope it will all work out well for you!

[21up]

Hi Onion Patch
sorry to hear your bad news but we all get problems .
my commitee offered me a plot but stated no shed , so i opt for another plot and paid £300 for a shed.

Talking to the guy that got the one i was offered first, it turns out there was a shed 8x6 and he got it
for £20.
This is commitees for you and i wouldnt think councils are any better.

But i hope you get it solved and as they say you have a legal agreement.
best of luck mate
ps and nearly all plots are neglected when we are offered them.
I blame the commitee for this council included.

I have just got a plot not worked for 10 years as they were getting the rent they did not bother about
the waiting list (38)
i have just shifted 12 barrows of stones.
anyhow all the best mate
cheers peter