Has allotment demand really increased?

[ClayGarden]

I'm confused somewhat. On gardeners world when he got his allotment, he was saying there was a long waiting list, and also i read on here there are long waiting lists. But then how come when he got to his allotment (and i've read on here), that the plots seemed like they hadn't been used for years. All overgrown with weed infestation.

Is it because people are slowly being more aware about food and so wanting to grow their own more now, so demand for them is increasing and the "derelict" plots are starting to get used again?

Ideas?

[Digger-07]

If there was a long waiting list how is it that JS's was so overgrown? The same happened to me two plots ago - no plots anywhere but I decided to look myself and found a site with 10 and 1/2 plots only three were being worked and one of them by a bloke who "had a key and let himself in". The council had no idea what was going on and I don't think they ever visited. He turned out to be a very good neighbour but I don't think he ever paid any rent.

PS does anyone know where his plot is?

[Farmer_Gyles]

i have no idea if demand has increased, or if the number of available allotments has reduced etc
all i do know is i was told it's a 3 year wait here and that the person at the top of the list in the neighbouring borough has been on that list for 1 year and i'm 4th
HOWEVER - i got a letter today saying there are 6 plots available on my nearest allotments, and letters have been sent to 18 people, first come first served ....
i got an email off to the council, tried phoning but no response .... fingers crossed ....

[Two_Sheds]

You're lucky to even get a reply from the council.
Yes, demand has increased at my site. When I came in 2004 we were about 60% full with lots of overgrown empty plots* with bramble, even trees on them. Our brilliant Rep got the diggers in and some very enthusiastic Old Boys who have cleared and lot the lot: 100% full now.

* Even though plots look empty, they may be tenanted. Some people tend to 'hang onto' their plots even if they can't work them, often claiming temporary ill-health or somesuch reason/excuse. Reps and the council need to be quicker to issue Notices to Quit, and to back them up with evictions.

[Farmer_Gyles]

yep, the whole process needs to be sped up
and letting overgrown plots at this time of year isn't too helpful - IF i get an overgrown plot, i won't have much time to clear it and plant very much - plots need to be let over the winter so newbies get the chance to clear and use the plots ....

[Two_Sheds]

...letting overgrown plots at this time of year isn't too helpful - IF i get an overgrown plot, i won't have much time to clear it and plant very much - plots need to be let over the winter so newbies get the chance to clear and use the plots ....

I'd disagree. I got both mine in March: I don't want to be digging in the cold and the wet (winter), but it's quite enjoyable in the spring sunshine. I don't try and clear the whole lot in one go either .... just clear a bed, then immediately plant it up so the weeds don't recolonise.

[Snadger]

Rightly or wrongly I think I bypassed the waitng list because of my enthusiasm!
Let me elaborate...........I was initially given a run down plot and brought it up to scratch with all beds planted within a very short time. I think the old boys were impressed and I asked if I could clear another plot that was really rundown, (we're talking a field of perennial weeds here!) The person who's plot it was paid there rent, had come for a short time, realised they had bitten off more than they could chew, and left saying they wouldn't be coming back.
As I said, rather than it being a sea of weeds I said I would cultivate it if I was given first option for the next season. It was agreed and I tidied it without planting anything.
In the meantime the plotholder next to it decided he wasn't coming back so I tidied that one up as well.
When I asked at the start of the next letting period if I could take over the two that were next to each other they were in full agreement because they new I could manage both and the allotment I was giving up was well cultivated and even still had crops in. Needless to say they had no problem letting my old allotment.
The person with the allotment next to my two have been 'five minute wonders' and given there plot up this year. My attempt at world domination stops here though, like shredded wheat, two's enough for me!

[ClayGarden]

Snadger, thats is incredible Are there some available plots now, ie lacking demand? and how long ago was this story when you first "clearing them up"?

[Seahorse]

It really is worth looking closely at your local sites. I was quite a way down on the list but had a look round the nicest site near to me and got chatting to a couple of other plot holders who pointed me towards the lottie I have now. At the time it was so overgrown it wasn't even on the 'available' list (end plot on a big site - bramble city!) but I rang the council, was a little bit pushy and not only got the plot but a years free rent too

It's been hard work and will still be tough for a good while yet but for me it was well worth it

[Farmer_Gyles]

i had a phone call from the council about 6ish - i was first to get back to them and they've allocated me a plot right in the middle - i'm going down there tomorrow to take a look for myself ......
apparently it's overgrown so rent free till september

[Snadger]

Snadger, thats is incredible Are there some available plots now, ie lacking demand? and how long ago was this story when you first "clearing them up"?

This is my third year as an allotmenteer! Two plots are available this year as far as I know,(one next to me) but we now have a waiting list of a few people! AGM on Saturday where supposedly rents are going up from £30 to £40 per plot!

[ClayGarden]

3 years! well done!

This is my third year as an allotmenteer! Two plots are available this year as far as I know,(one next to me) but we now have a waiting list of a few people! AGM on Saturday where supposedly rents are going up from £30 to £40 per plot!

Thats it. The answer to this very thread. If that is is an annual increase, then demand has certainly increased! If they think they can reap profits without losing the clientel.

[jackie j]

I think the trouble with plots being allowed to become overgrown is something to do with the agreement whereby you can only give notice to quit at a certain time of year and then it cant be re-let for twelve months not sure if i have this right but it was augmented about at our A.G.M. However if someone willingly agrees to vacate the plot it can be re-let .

[NOG]

His plot is in Hackney North London.

We have let all our plots and now have 30 on the waiting list, 5 years ago I was given the pick of 12 plots on our site and 6 out of 12 on a London Borough of Croydon Site.

Such is the demand that we have cleared and let two new areas of land and are in the process of marking out another field to let. All these will be 1/2 plots to let more people have a go.

[Matt.]

I'm sure demand has massivly increased. I think one issue is the allotment veterans who are now committee members. They're probably only just coming round to the idea that people are willing to take on the overgrown plots and regenerate the site. I know when I got mine 12 months ago the attitude was quite negative "We don't have any - well we've got overgrown ones" and "Nobody's used that bit for twenty years.." etc. But now myself and three others have converted them into usable plots its changing. I notice two more plots are marked out now so it looks like a few more people have had the same idea.