Would you halve your plot size to reduce waiting lists?

[Jono]

Hi all,

Eastbourne Borough Council have come up with some cash and a few new ideas to help reduce their allotment waiting list:

Council sizes up allotment waiting list - Local News - Eastbourne Herald

I thought it was interesting that one of the ideas was to ask current plotholders whether they would halve their plot size so others could get some growing space.

I think it would be hard for me to give up half my plot given the hard work I'd put in to get it to where it is, but then I started thinking that it would be quite an exciting challenge to try and fit everything I grow in to a much smaller space.

What does everyone else think?

[BarleySugar]

We are on the verge of getting a new allotment site up and running in our area, (taken over 4 years of campaigning etc, but that's another story). I have had full size allotments in the past though so I do know that I would have been reluctant to give up half to someone else. Perhaps in the main (besides the obvious of less growing space), I would hate to see half my well tended plot neglected if the new tenants did not keep it going properly. I think the only reason I would be willing would be if I found the plot too much to keep up on my own.
Our new site will only have half national size plots anyway, with some even smaller, as we could not find much land available and we are trying to give as many as possible the chance to grow.

[jackie j]

When someone gives up a whole plot here they are automaticaly split into two. I took on a half plot three years ago and its not big enough so my husband has a half plot in his name and I do most of the work, if I cant manage two then I will give one up.
Not sure if they can make you give up half your plot as long as you keep on top of things.

[Nicos]

...give up half my plot????Urrmmm...nope...not after all the hard work I'd put into it.



( think I'm more selfish than I thought)

Actually- I had to give up my whole plot when we moved here- and I sobbed my heart out!

[Suky]

I would love a full size plot but am willing to take a half size one if necessary. The site where I have my name on a waiting list is a 'dead mans shoes' and they may decide to split the next plot that becomes available.
Wouldnt want to give up land I had worked hard to clear and cultivate though.

[SarzWix]

If I had no plot, I would accept half a plot if offered. But. I must be more selfish than I thought too , because I wouldn't give up any of my growing space unless I was struggling to keep on top of it. And even then I'd look for someone I know to share it with first, before officially giving it up.

[Aberdeenplotter]

In Aberdeen, any full sized plot given up is being split into half plots before being relet. In addition, although an individual is entitled by law to have up to 40 poles total in Scotland, our Council is refusing to accept anyone who already has a plot of any size on to the waiting list and anyone already on the waiting list who already has a plot of any size has had their name removed.

Par for the course for Aberdeen City Council who think they do not need to adhere to the law.

[TonyF]

Back in the dark ages I had two plots in Hornchurch because nobody else wanted them but if I was asked to surrender one to a newbie, I'd have felt honour bound to do so.

Isn't one way of dealing this to say everybody who has more than one plot has to downsize to just one and then when any plot becomes available, it's split into two. It's not about reducing waiting lists surely but allowing other people the benfits of what we already have?

And as for my current plot, it's my garden so not feasible.

[SarzWix]

We got our 2nd plot because people on the waiting list kept turning it down! So for us to get it into growing condition and then give it up to someone who couldn't be bothered to do the graft just wouldn't happen, or not without a major battle anyway.

[arpoet]

Insted oof asking someone with full plot to give up half, they should go round the sites and look at plots that seem semi neglected and ask the tennent to take on a partner.. many older tennants struggle with the work but dont want to give up the plot.. so a working partner would be ideal. My mate and i share ours and it keeps our 2 families in food for several months.
Roger

[TonyF]

Roger, that is a great idea, well said!

[Snadger]

We got our 2nd plot because people on the waiting list kept turning it down! So for us to get it into growing condition and then give it up to someone who couldn't be bothered to do the graft just wouldn't happen, or not without a major battle anyway.

I'm with you on this one Sarz.

I started with a single rundown plot which no one wanted back in the good old days when waiting lists didn't exist..Then, same as Sarz I took on an even worse plot which once again, no one wanted.
I now have both plots tamed and can grow most of my veg requirements.

Now its become fashionable to have an allotment, I certainly would not be too chuffed if I was told that all the work I'd done and all the money I'd spent was to benefit a waiting listee who probably refused both plots first time round.

PS People like myself were the ones that kept our allotment association going. If the plots hadn't been let there would have been no rent paid and the association could have went down the pan as it wouldn't have had enough money to pay the total ground rent to the council.

[binley100]

Would I give up half my plot? ............not on your nelly

I've worked bloomin' hard to get it growable (?) ..........anyway I need more room now.

[Alison]

No chance that I'd give up half my plot, have worked too hard on it to give it up and utilise the space for our needs. One day (hopefully a long way off) if I can't manage it all then maybe but on my terms not somebody elses

[Jeanied]

No, I wouldn't - not after all the hard work and expense, not to mention permanent fruit trees. My two plots only equal one normal sized plot anyway.
If they are that pushed for allotment spaces, they should provide more sites, simples!