How much does your plot cost?

[salome2001]

The Harwood v Reigate and Banstead Council case from the 1980's is your defence but make sure you make the Council aware now. It is so damned difficult trying to get something unpicked once it has been put in place,

I have followed your fight!
we will see what happens with rents this year and see if they hike... it's rumour and hearsay at the moment...

[Aberdeenplotter]

get in before they do anything. That is important. Lets them know how serious the plotters take it. If you wait till the rent goes up and you have to try to fight it, you will be on the back foot. Be pro-active, that puts them on the back foot.

[Samurailord]

Without the graft, there is no prospect at all of a return.

Agreed, AP.

Unfortunately some plot holders don't realise this and expect that the allotment fairies will weed their plots and look after their crops, leaving just the harvesting for the plot holders to do

I think that any prospective plot holders should be given a harsh reality check before they take on a plot rather than simply taking them round to look at the better plots on a site (you know the ones - run by the retired Olde Boyes who spend 10 hours a day on the plot, come rain or shine, just to get it looking so good).

Also, I'm sure there are lots of folks out there who take on a plot, not really knowing what to do or how to do it, getting disheartened when the slugs eat the seedlings, cabbage whites decimate their brassicas and blight destroys their potatoes and tomatoes and give it all up as being too hard.

It is precisely with this kind of scenario in mind that Alldigging and I have started a local gardening group to provide advice to people who want to grow their own but don't really know what they are doing.

Our first meeting is tonight - we have had an article in the local paper, a slot on the local Community Radio station plus lots of emails to every local allotment so we are hoping for a good turnout.

Wish us luck!

Andy

[FoxHillGardener]

£50 a year for what I was told is 5 rods. It measures about 19.6m by 7.4m. We have mains fed water troughs, a compost toilet and a high fence. No deliveries of free anything

just had an email about next year, it says

For a full size (5 rod plot) the cost is £37 rent, £7 water and insurance £6. Total £50. Smaller plots (2.5rods) will be half of these amounts.

There is a reduction of 50% of the rental component for Senior Citizens ( over 60) and for those who are registered disabled.

Lewisham residents who belong to the "Be active scheme" can claim a 25% reduction in the rental component.

[Sheneval]

No the comparison is totally valid for me, I don't have any ongoing responsibilities to my plot, could easily walk away when I no longer need it, its not like a bank loan or even pet ownership. Maybe things ar- e different in your lottie contract or personal circumstances but things are not the same for everybody. Whilst I certainly don't want to pay hundreds of pounds for my plot it is certainly extreme good value at the less than £30 I paid last year.

I agree the £30 you paid in rental is a reaonable amount but surely this is just the start of your investment - you must include the costs of tools, compost, seeds, plants, bushes, fencing, polyutunnels, environmesh, fleece, manure, lime, fertiliser, water butt, compost bin/s etc. etc. etc

Some of these will be one off costs, some you may inherit from previous plotholder, but others will be recurring annual amounts.

[cudsey]

I live in Barnsley and rent mine from the council the rent was £55.00 last year but it will be £69.00 this year payable in november there is a water tap outside my gate which is included in the price not everybody has a tap nearby so they pay £5 less they are large plots i have had mine for 8 years and the first bill was £29.00 so they are certainly shooting up but i suppose it is to be expected in this climate this is my first post as i have only just joined cheers cudsey

[Linzy]

I have a 1/4 plot with no water which is £10 a year and a 1/2 plot with water for £22 a year

[Martin B]

When I first got an allotment in 2008 the price was £16 now 5 years later it is £25 and is a relatively good bargain too!!!

[sir david]

Well here in Angers france I have 300m2 its 120€ two taps free water ( very sandy soil ) and a shed ( very leaky roof ) manure 3 tonnes is 80 €

David

no bees or chickens:-(

[lottieheaven]

I pay £15 a year (all plots are 5 rods) , taps on each 2 plots, secure, good allotment association, not allowed fruit trees. There are two stabled ponies alongside so we all have a constant supply of horse manure...so happy days !

[The Large One]

had a lovely surprise when i went to the plot sunday to pay this years rent
it has gone down.......
they had some money left over in the kitty so as they knew it was such a struggle last year with the weather they have reduced half plots from £10 to £7.50 so 2 half plots i paid £15
we have water on site evry 5 plots so well pleased
they have said it will only be for this year but back to £10 half plot next year

[~kirsty~]

I live in Barnsley and rent mine from the council the rent was £55.00 last year but it will be £69.00 this year payable in november there is a water tap outside my gate which is included in the price not everybody has a tap nearby so they pay £5 less they are large plots i have had mine for 8 years and the first bill was £29.00 so they are certainly shooting up but i suppose it is to be expected in this climate this is my first post as i have only just joined cheers cudsey

I take it that wasn't fully a council site? The charges seem odd as I thought they were all standard across the borough apart from the private sites. I took on a Barnsley council plot, apparently no water, but theres a communal water tap just on the track by the plot, and its £30something a year. Its surprising how different the charges can be.

oh, and welcome to the forum!!

[binley100]

just had an email about next year, it says

For a full size (5 rod plot) the cost is £37 rent, £7 water and insurance £6. Total £50. Smaller plots (2.5rods) will be half of these amounts.

There is a reduction of 50% of the rental component for Senior Citizens ( over 60) and for those who are registered disabled.

Lewisham residents who belong to the "Be active scheme" can claim a 25% reduction in the rental component.

Jeez ....really annoys me that sites are now reclassifying half sized plots as full ones when traditionally a full size plot is 10rods .

[sir david]

er whats a rod ?
Its all "mettre carré "here ( thats a meter sq )

David

[chris]

About 5 meters I think... http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rod_16833.html