two come along at once? garden plot?

[green thing]

Hi all
just been offered another allotment or should I say garden plot . I've been on the waiting list for 6 years . I've not had anything from the council no phone calls or letters not a peep then two recorded letters within a few days .
Am I missing something, it say on the letter we can offer you this (in bold) GARDEN PLOT not allotment .
whats going on is it some sort of legal loop hole or a cost saving thing by the council.

I've asked the council and they said "we just have garden plot" and they don't know why they call them garden plot

There are 9 Council run sites in the area please note that there are no allotments in my area, however, there are a number of garden area

[Pies]

I think its because there is no water or leccy but im not certain

[Bigmallly]

Pies could be right on the money with this one.

Garden plots : A-Z of Services : Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

[binley100]

Best thing to do is to pop along and survey the site..

[SarzWix]

It may be that they were previously let along with a house (ie across the lane from a row of houses) and so were the 'garden plot' for the house. But then over time, the people in the houses were less bothered about renting them, so they've been returned to the lists for regular allotmnts, but still retained the name of 'garden plot'. My grandad used to have one over the back lane from his cottage.
Definitely worth just going and having a look. No water or electric is no big deal if you are allowed to have a shed to collect water from - we have no running water on our two plots.

[Alison]

I think its because there is no water or leccy but im not certain

Mine doesn't have water or leccy and is an allotment on all the paperwork etc. Think that it could be a history thing as said above but to be honest, if it's a plot of land which you can grow on then I wouldn't care what it was called on the contract.

[green thing]

the plots in blackburn seem to be allotments and in darwen all garden plots some of the blackburn plot don't have water or electric but are still called allotments
non of the garden plots in darwen have water or electric
I've looked on some old maps from the 1940-1960 and they all say allotments ? the council are letting out some disused allotment (NOW AS GARDEN PLOTS) i just seem a bit strange they are changing the title
I've been watching the site for a few years it had a new fence around it about 2/3 years ago then nothing !! it became over grown with brambles and a home for all the rabbits in the area.
I just hope the plot is not the size of a postage stamp given the amount of people on the waiting list.
they have asked if I want a plot but given no plot sizes or number of plot to be made on the site !!

[Jeanied]

Maybe you will have more flexibility with a garden plot - in other words it does not insist you grow only veg - you can have fruit trees and flowers as well. Also allotments used to have a standard size - maybe garden plots are smaller.

[SarzWix]

Perhaps calling them garden plots allows them to have a higher proportion of grass or something. Basically, you aren't going to know unless you go along and have a look at it. I can't see why it's a big problem - you want a plot, and they're offering you a plot...

[sticklebricks]

It could be a diversity thing, some people may be put off with the commitment of running an allotment, it can be daunting to newcomers. By offering gardens it broadens the appeal to all potential users therefore 'ticking a box' of services provided!

[Pies]

It could also be away around allotment building regs,if they aren't called allotments then the regs wont apply

Best just have a look andsee if the plot suits you

[green thing]

thats the problem we don't know the size or number of plots to be made on the site ?

I've asked about other garden plot in the area that have been unused for years and have now turned into wooded areas the plot holders have said that they are used as wild gardens ?? the council said they can use it as a wild garden provided the plot holder are still paying rent . the best bit is if it becomes too over grown (cost too much for the council to clear) it would be removed from the plot list , which would mean no more rent coming in for the council and rent free for the plot holder.

plot 4 is just below the white shed (middle/top of page)the wooded area it's not been used for about 20 years and some is still paying rent for it
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&so...03449&t=k&z=18

[Paulottie]

Maybe you will have more flexibility with a garden plot - in other words it does not insist you grow only veg - you can have fruit trees and flowers as well. Also allotments used to have a standard size - maybe garden plots are smaller.

I think Jeanied is in the right area.

Allotments should infact STILL be 302 sq Yards. (It is disgusting that many councils are eroding this recently. It is their LEGAL duty to provide enough space given demand; rather than carve up the woefully inadaquate land that is available) also they must be primarily for the purpose of feeding your family. They are not 'leisure gardens'...something quite common in Switzerland, Scandanavia (and other parts of the world)....I believe that they are a civilized idea in urban areas but should be in addition to not in place of allotments.

climbs off soapbox

[green thing]

I think it got something to do with the size of the plots
the garden area is approximately 200ft x400ft anyone know how many allotment plot you
will get on this site ?

thanks

[zazen999]

green thing

I've removed your link as it links to someone's house and garden.

Just go along and find out!!!