Should Allotments be limited?

[number 1 suspect]

I have one person in my area who is running 4. Not fair to other at all but not controlled

[carlseawolf]

If it wasn't for those people back then grabbing plots when they where not wanted then you would not have your waiting list you are now on because they would be houses on there .

[lozza_9]

We have a few on our plot that have 2/3 plots BUT they are kept very well and they have had the plots for years. If you want another plot you do have to apply to the council and you are put on the list just like anyone else, which I think is excellent.

We went to our first allotment meeting a few years ago now and one old guy could not see this has being fair, as new people come on the plot and do nothing but he could do something with the land. As we where very new to this ( had the plot about 4 weeks and got it in Sept/Oct so not much growing to be done) I was a bit upset as I feel new people should be welcomed and incouraged. He thought he should just be given a plot when he needed it kinda thing. Luckily this guy is not on my plot.

Anyway, my view is if people can keep the plots looking good and they use all of it/them to grow, they go on the list and wait then I dont see a problem.

I can just about cope with a full allotment and happy with that. BUT if we had a problem where plots where empty and risk of council selling it I would take on another one. I love going to the allotment and would do anything to save it.

[Cutecumber]

Say there is someone with several plots who sells their excess, and there is a waiting list. Allotments were developed to allow people to grow their own food, not to be cheap farmland.

When a site has plenty of empty plots then it seems best to do everything you can to have them cultivated, or they risk being closed, but surely there comes a time for change when the waiting list grows.

One element I find disturbing is that - in some areas - self-managed allotments have complete control over their own waiting lists. I'm afraid there is a lot of prejudice as to who "would fit in" on some sites and it certainly isn't "first come first served" despite that being the advertised policy. I would feel much happier if an independent group had control over the lists.

[pigletwillie]

One element I find disturbing is that - in some areas - self-managed allotments have complete control over their own waiting lists. I'm afraid there is a lot of prejudice as to who "would fit in" on some sites and it certainly isn't "first come first served" despite that being the advertised policy. I would feel much happier if an independent group had control over the lists.

We are a self managed site, as are most in Leicester and we administer the waiting list on a first come first served basis unless there is good reason why we shouldnt. Whilst there is a waiting list nobody who has an allotment will be allocated another.

To say that self managed sites should have no say in the allocation of plots totally undermines the idea of having self managed sites in the first place and the very thought of "independant groups" being in control of said allocations smacks very much of micro managing communism.


In Leicester, the maximum amount of plots a person can have is 4 as anymore than that constitutes a small holding in our councils eyes.

[Cutecumber]

To say that self managed sites should have no say in the allocation of plots totally undermines the idea of having self managed sites in the first place and the very thought of "independant groups" being in control of said allocations smacks very much of micro managing communism.

Self-management is one thing and to be commended. Choosing people that only you decide will fit in is quite another.

Communism, hmm. Nice touch.

[pigletwillie]

And what stops the independant group from filling sites with who they think fits in, their mates or as a favour or backhander???

[bluemoon]

If it wasn't for those people back then grabbing plots when they where not wanted then you would not have your waiting list you are now on because they would be houses on there .

Well said, Carlseawolf. And five years from now, when lotties are no longer 'fashionable', they'll probably be the ones keeping the site from developers again. I've been veg gardening for 30 years and allotment gardening for 15, until recently I'd never read a book or seen a T.V. programme devoted purely to allotments, because they simply didn't exist. I have a plot on two different sites, one's a 'good' site, one's on such a severe slope that extensive terracing is the only possible solution. Hopefuls wander around the good site every weekend, but there's a waiting list. I tell them about the not-so-good one, I've even met a few there with the key and given them the tour (it only has about 40% occupancy), but only one has taken on a plot there. It seems that those on the list are not interested in the novel solutions and hard graft which might be needed and would rather wait in the hopes of getting a 'ready made' one. If they're not prepared to put in the time at the start, what hope is there that they will continue the interest once the T.V companies and publishers have moved on to the next fad? Remember it's not too long ago that gardening programmes consisted almost entirely of decking, concrete and blue paint.

[mrs potato head]

Another question is: Should people without a garden have priority over those without?

Definatley.
We have no garden, there are four of us, all outdoor lovers, we are lucky to live on the edge of the moors and the coast not to far away. But some times you just want to be in one place thats yours. We phoned the council who said all plots gone and waiting list to long to add to.
Thankfully we found a private site 5 min walk away.its large enough for us to have big growing areas, flower bed, pond, greenhouse, two sheds one for potting etc the other has stove (for the morning sausage sarnies and cups of tea) and wood burner for cold weather. Kids have there base, we also have a lovley lawned area and BBQ up there. We have fantastic views and tonnes of wildlife. We love it and its better than any garden could ever be.
We have had it for a couple of years now and i am so gratefull, as site is now full.

[Mikey]

I think we are missing the argument here, it is not whether people with 2 or three allotments should give theirs up. It is why are the councils not making greater provision for creating new allotments.

Even if this new found fondness is a fad, the demand should still be met, there are plenty of spaces that could be turned around and made into allotments. Once upon a time there had to be provision for 1 allotment for every 5 homes, if this was still the case would we be even having this discussion.

[PrincessN]

I think we are missing the argument here, it is not whether people with 2 or three allotments should give theirs up. It is why are the councils not making greater provision for creating new allotments.

Even if this new found fondness is a fad, the demand should still be met, there are plenty of spaces that could be turned around and made into allotments. Once upon a time there had to be provision for 1 allotment for every 5 homes, if this was still the case would we be even having this discussion.

Amen to that.
I totally agree - I live in the city, flats or flat-conversions are pretty common. I keep wandering around where I live - TONS of "wasteland" next to bridges/between retailparks, not sure if all of them are going to be developed, but surely the council should be catering for the (stupid) influx in "posh" flats they are putting up with no "communal" spaces? (not even playgrounds or grass-patches in the area!)


Also to add my two pence worth:
I don't think people with more than one plot should give up their hard-work, just to meet the "fad".

It should generally be "first come first served" and a more efficient way of passing "turned down" plots to the next person on the list would be good!! (Often there ARE free plots around)

Sleeping tenants are certainly a problem, but also some of the "fad followers"'s attitude!! I can't believe anyone would expect a perfectly looked after plot!!

I say this because I went to see a small fairly run-down site (amidst 3 really nice allotments sites) and wasn't particularly fazed by being shown several plots covered in weed, grass, with probably some forgotten veg on the rampage in the undergrowth. Aparently they had several ppl come and go or simply turning down being "on that site"!

Un-be-effing-lievable (excuse my French).

Also to add to what lozza said about existing tenants being very hostile! On the little tour I was given, the site manager warnedme about this old guy:
He's been there for 35+ years, has two plots (an actual commercial enterprise, which I didn't think was in the "spirit" of allotments!?) and thinks he owns the place. He hogs the keys to the communal facilities, stops progress from happening (they've been trying for new fences and gates for ages), been chair for the past decade and if he doesn't like you, you don't stand a chance staying there.
Wtf?

[Cloud]

From what I can make out,because things are difficult at the moment Lottie's are trendy!
But what happens when things get better the holders who took a plot because it was trendy then give up the plot and they become disused and unsightly.
At least someone with 2 or 3 plots that look after them will keep them that way and aren't just jumping on the bandwagon!
ps i dont't have an allotment at the moment but am working on it.

[Snadger]

Our local council are really clamping down now.

For instance a Regional rep has to be 'invited' to the AGM to make sure the committee including Secretary/Chairman and Treasurer are democratically elected and that everthing is done by the book.
We have to have an up to date list of plotholders including names and addresses. We have to be able to supply a copy of our waing list with names, contact numbers and most importantly dates they applied. No Queue jumping. No extra plots made available to existing plot holders until each person on waiting list has been contacted.
Lot's of other rules and regulations added to the tenancy agreement to make sure that everyone has a fair crack at the whip!

Just as it should be too!

[Stacey Steve]

I think we in MK are pretty lucky, this is one of the fastest expanding areas in the UK and under pressure to take the brunt of the house building plans of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

However the council are still putting aside land and creating new allotment sites so I am told, despite the obvious developement revenue that could be had.

The site I am on was very little used and I took on three plots 2 years ago and have worked damn hard to develope these and now suddenly in the last month almost all the plots are being taken up.

Some of the new tenants have worked bloody hard to clean up and start growing, I take my hat off to them and some have worked harder than I've been able to do.

However there are some who took plots and even now have done nothing on them at all. These are now "locked up" and cannot be let for at least a year.

That I don't think is fair. If you take a plot and no reasonable work is done within the first month, then I think unless there were special circumstances, you should lose the plot. (Or have I lost the plot?)

[Mikey]

(Or have I lost the plot?)

Well with 3 its always possible you might lose one, where dd you leave it?