Taking over a neighbour's allotment

[Drypulse]

Hello! I have had my allotment for four years now, but it's only a quarter plot and not really big enough for my family. My allotment neighbours have moved house and have heavily hinted about giving up their allotment when their renewal comes up in september as they have a big garden.

My question is, how likely would it be for the council to let me take over their plot? Has anyone else managed it? It directly borders mine. I don't want to ask the council directly in case it causes my neighbours issues.

Any help appreciated.

Joe


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[alldigging]

Ask the council.

[BertieFox]

From what I have read, there is a long waiting list for most allotments in most places, so when your neighbour goes it should rightly go to the next person on the list. We did exactly what you want to do many years ago in our village but that was at a time when few people wanted to take over allotments.

[bario1]

I think if you've done a good job of yours, the council might be happy to let you take it on - less hassle for them in the long run. I can't see the harm in asking them. Quarter plots are just too small in my opinion.

[rustylady]

Ask your council or allotment committee. Shouldn't cause your neighbours any problems if they have paid their rent and are keeping it in good condition.

[Floyd]

Wouldn't it be easier to put your partner's name down as co-leasing your neighbour's plot? That way when your neighbour's give up their plot it would automatically leave your partner as the sole occupant....if that makes any sense.

[Drypulse]

Hey thanks for all your comments. I have asked them if they mind me asking the council if i could have it if they move. They said they didnt and so have emailed them. Here's hoping! Mine is tiny compared to most on our site!


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[Bigmallly]

You may stand more of a chance if you offer to swap. I would be aggrieved if I was on the waiting list and found out someone had jumped the queue.

[Two_Sheds]

I would be aggrieved if I was on the waiting list and found out someone had jumped the queue.

quite so. It's also not fair on you DryPulse, if you take it over unofficially, put a load of work in, and then get it taken off you.

[Drypulse]

I quite agree in regards to the waiting list, if the council say i can't because theres a big queue then thats fair enough. I wouldn't do anything unofficially, i just wouldn't want to not try and then find out i could have taken over their plot as well easily.


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[wbmkk]

You may stand more of a chance if you offer to swap. I would be aggrieved if I was on the waiting list and found out someone had jumped the queue.

Yep ! I would be miffed too

But a swap may be OK ... after all somebody new will still be offered a plot and they wouldn't know the background to the small size option

[hamamelis]

I actually did just this last year- my neighbour quit, and I now have a full plot, rather than a half one. I was lucky, in that there wasn't really a waiting list, and most of the plot is so shaded and overgrown with trees that no-one else was that keen on having it (I'm planning on keeping bees there, so it being in a hidden corner is a plus for me). On my site, there's a site rep who has a lot of say in who gets what, as well the council, so I asked him first.

Maybe I did jump the queue slightly (there's over 300 plots on site, so I have no idea what's happening on all of them), but at least I visit my plot several times a week, and do quite a lot of work on it, unlike some of the people whose plots are just a jungly abandoned wasteland. I guess I'm a little cynical about the waiting list now having seen how many people get a plot then show up once or twice before giving up.

[Drypulse]

Thats encouraging! I'm glad it seems possible. Sounds like we are in similar situations! I plan on moving my bees to my plot and my neighbours would do fine as its right in a corner and out the way!




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