Offered allotment site, help needed?

[MrsC]

Have been offered a site 20 mins drive from me. Just been to check it out. No one was there so took a few pics through the gates. Not very big site 14 at the most. Not in a particularly nice area and backs onto a rather big estate, lot of broken bottles on the road up etc. Seem only 2 of the plots are being used with one being cleared at the most and some lovely raised planters being put in. Worried re - vandalism? Have to reply in 10 days. Wondering why so many plots seem unused? Have a nagging feeling re this. What do you think. What are full sized plots these look about 30' x 20', could be bigger though? Help!

[MaureenHall]

Ask if you can see someone to talk to about the site, preferably one of the existing plot-holders. They should be able to give you the answers

[terrier]

Depends how much work there is in preparing it for use. If it's more or less ready for use, then give it a go. Plant some quick growing stuff and see what happens, if it get's vandalised you have your answer. If most of the plots are out of use, I would be very wary of using them. Do what MH says and talk to the other plot holders.

[MrsC]

Thanks Terrier, it was deserted today and it just didn't look right, if you know what I mean. It seemed fairly clear as though the council had done a mass clear up and I could see only 2 plots with small sheds and water butts on them. The other plots definitely looked like nothing had been grown for a while. Just a couple of month worth of weeds on there, no big stuff. Will investigate further and let you know. Thanks

[Snadger]

Thanks Terrier, it was deserted today and it just didn't look right, if you know what I mean. It seemed fairly clear as though the council had done a mass clear up and I could see only 2 plots with small sheds and water butts on them. The other plots definitely looked like nothing had been grown for a while. Just a couple of month worth of weeds on there, no big stuff. Will investigate further and let you know. Thanks

If it doesn't look or feel right you will never be at home there! Make sure 100% that the site/plot is for you or it will always be a bone of contention................ once you've signed on the dotted line there's no going back!

[terrier]

Also the twenty minute drive from home and the twenty minute drive back all eats into your spare time. It doesn't sound ideal!

[MrsC]

Also the twenty minute drive from home and the twenty minute drive back all eats into your spare time. It doesn't sound ideal!

I know what you mean, also I have only been on the list for 6 weeks, sounds too good to be true!

[zazen999]

Hi
Are there any nearer ones to you?

[MrsC]

Hi
Are there any nearer ones to you?

Hi Zazen

There are quite a few but long waiting lists I'm afraid!

[bluemoon]

Take it, don't leave anything valuable there, chuck a few seeds in and see what happens. You never know you might love it and end up wanting your ashes scattered there! (Well it's where mine are going, there's a plum tree could do with the potash) If you hate it you won't have lost too much and will at least have dipped a toe in the water and will know what to look for - and to avoid - next time. The one thing I'd worry about is; if you do take it will you lose your place on the list for your preferred site?

[KTM250]

I'd take it, I'm just up the road from you in Lowton and have been on the list for 14 months and I'm currently 25th on the list ( 24th has has his name down for 4 years ), do what bluemoon and terrier have suggested s see what comes, the opportunity might not come along for a few years.

Whereabouts is it, maybe there could be room for me too?

[MrsC]

I'd take it, I'm just up the road from you in Lowton and have been on the list for 14 months and I'm currently 25th on the list ( 24th has has his name down for 4 years ), do what bluemoon and terrier have suggested s see what comes, the opportunity might not come along for a few years.

Whereabouts is it, maybe there could be room for me too?

Its Havannah Lane, comes under St Helens Council, right on the border, literally 1 mins drive across it

[MrsC]

Take it, don't leave anything valuable there, chuck a few seeds in and see what happens. You never know you might love it and end up wanting your ashes scattered there! (Well it's where mine are going, there's a plum tree could do with the potash) If you hate it you won't have lost too much and will at least have dipped a toe in the water and will know what to look for - and to avoid - next time. The one thing I'd worry about is; if you do take it will you lose your place on the list for your preferred site?

Didn't give a preferred site to them as was with another council, just got name on list for the nearest to where i live

[MrsC]

Confused now!

[Alison]

Which site in Warrington have you been offered - I wanted one at the Kingsway site but am way down the waiting list, as I believe have most (if not all) of the Warrington main coucnil sites. Got offered one by Lymm Parish Council a few months ago (only 10 plots there, not all of which are properly in use) but not done much yet (but am picking up a new (well, new to me!) shed tomorrow and have a few days off next week so fingers crossed it doesn't rain all the time. I too was quite worried about valdalism as a friend of a friend had had quite a lot of stuff nicked from the site a few years ago (gave up in the end) but managed to speak to some of the other plot holders who have set my mind at rest at least to some extent. Maybe if you could find somebody there then you could have a bit of a chat and see what they say.