Allotments in Warrington?

[JennyGiraffe]

Just checked t'intenet and found the following "Each allotment authority decides for itself how much of its resources to devote to allotments. However, if an authority believes there is a demand, it has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots and to let them to people living in its area. If local people feel there is a need for allotments which is not being met, they can get together a group of any six residents who are registered on the electoral roll and put their case to the local authority.". However I'm guessing that this may not be a quick process!

I tried putting this point to the council in Southampton a few months ago when I found out about it - their reply came back basically saying that when land came available the council couldn't afford to buy it just to use for allotments, basically because developers want to buid flats and that pushes the price of the land up to an unreasonable amount. So it seems that as usual a rule that the council made cannot be kept by them!

[Alison]

Hi,
I have an allotment on the Kingsway North allotment site. Had my plot for for 14 months and had a 18 month wait.
Some plot holders are giving up their plot or so I heard. The lease runs from January to January. So after January you might hear something?? Fingers crossed for you. Keep phoning the council!

Good luck.

Those are the ones that I'm most interested in as I go past them every day on my way to work. As you say, fingers crossed

[TheGrowingFamily]

Hi Alison.

Fingers crossed for you. How long have you been waiting?
There are some plots that have been neglected this year as well as some people giving up their plots in January.
At the moment, you apply to the council and then the council pass peoples details to the association and they work down the list.
I would keep phoning that what I did. I waited about 18 months.

Donna.

[Alison]

Must be over a year now (will check when I get home), the lists have got ridiculous. Have just tried to ring the council and got no reply, must be lunch time. Have sent an e-mail also but am not holding my breath on that one. Will keep on at them now and certainly be ringing up loads come the start of January!

[TheGrowingFamily]

Hi alison,
Did you send your form in the post or online?
When I first applied for an allotment I applied online and then I kept on phoning them. They said they never received my online form?!? kept trying and they kept saying the same so in the end I posted it.
Do you know your on the list? If not make sure.
PM me your surname and when I'm on the allotment tomorrow i'll have a chat to some of the committee and see where you are on the list and what your chances are in January. Don't know if it will help but if worth a try.Let me know if you want me to have a nosey.
Donna

[Dobby]

if Partinton is not too far for you to travel I know there are 2 full plots avalibe on our site

[Alison]

Hi alison,
Did you send your form in the post or online?
When I first applied for an allotment I applied online and then I kept on phoning them. They said they never received my online form?!? kept trying and they kept saying the same so in the end I posted it.
Do you know your on the list? If not make sure.
PM me your surname and when I'm on the allotment tomorrow i'll have a chat to some of the committee and see where you are on the list and what your chancing are in January. Don't know if it will help but if worth a try.Let me know if you want me to have a nosey.
Donna

I too had problems with the online form as they lost it all. Ended up scanning the form in and e-mailing it and from what they say, I'm on the list but until today haven't chased up for a while - I'm also on the list for various parish council ones too. It does seem to be unncecessarily difficult to get any information. Any insider knowledge will be appreciated so will PM you when I've finished this mail. Thanks

if Partinton is not too far for you to travel I know there are 2 full plots avalibe on our site

Thanks Dobby but Mrs Dobby mentioned this a while ago and as it's a different council it's not good - bit far for me anyway although used to work out that way.

[tony2sheds]

Hi Muze if you are still looking for a site send me an email and let me know. I have a small paddock in Walton that is to big for me, if interested maybe we could get together

[Alison]

They are gradually getting through the waiting lists in Warrington. I eventually got a plot a couple of months ago and was offered another one on a different site a couple of weeks ago but was told that there's a total of about 400 on the waiting list!

[Rforron]

Having a similar problem in Widnes, just down the road. Get the impression that they only review the plots once a year just before rent time. Shortly afterwards they serve notice on those who have failed to cultivate their plot. Only when they have received a response do they offer the plot elsewhere. This means that unless your local authority provides new plots, it is an annual event to allocate plots and so reduce the waiting list. Like you I have been told 18 - 24 months waiting list Grrrrrrr!

[Muze]

Sorry ive not been online for ages, been having some family problems

Many Thanks of the offer of the plot near Walton, but it's just too far for me to travel as im disabled.

Ive just phoned again today to find that im 12th on the list for my nearest plot (Orford Park) and im gonna be lucky to get a plot in the next 2 years. I asked about them finding more land as there is more than 6 of us waiting and they said that they are already doing this but not to hold my breath as land has to be purchased, soil tested, fenced etc and they dont have the funds to to this.

So still no joy!

[Glazebrook]

Hi
I'm new to the site and have been reading your comments re:the lack of allotments available in Warrington and the current long waiting lists that people have to sign up to in the hope that they are offered a plot with a window opportunity that's almost once a year! We may be able to help at least some of you in the Warrington area. We have a private piece of land in Glazebrook,WA3, that will shortly be available with allotment plots varying from 100m2 to 1000m2. There is a water supply, very good soil and we are happy for people to keep live stock. Quiet happy for prospective tenants to view and give imput.

[Alison]

I don't need one now as I got offered one last autumn but there are plenty of people who do. Suggest that you post something on the local forums (Warrington Worldwide / Guardian site) as there have been some threads on both of those in the past. Good on you by the way, the more land the better.

[Glazebrook]

Thanks Alison. I will try those that you've suggested as we need to really establish the number of people that require allotments in our area & to see who we can help.

[Lavender Lady]

Muze
Up until November 2008 I was secretary of Orford Park Allotment Association . I was doing my best to obtain grants to help provide raised beds for the disabled at these allotments, and was in the last stages of negotiations with the national lottery. All we needed was prices for work to be carried out which only W.B.C. could provide. We would still be waiting for their response nearly twelve months later, if we hadn't run out of time. The main reason the association disbanded was due to lack of co- operation from W.B.C.
Lavender Lady