My first plants to go into new allotment

[AntC]

Just received notification that I can expect my three Ruby Beauty raspberry plants to be delivered within three days. They will go into pots. The new Council Environment Officer is being very strict that no plant should be planted that won't mature in 12 months and, apparently, a number of fruit trees are due for the chop. Heaven knows how my neighbour's asparagus bed will get past that one!

[mcdood]

That seems a bit restrictive, how is 'mature' being defined exactly? If it's getting a harvest then say you like the taste of fruit tree leaves

[greenishfing]

Just received notification that I can expect my three Ruby Beauty raspberry plants to be delivered within three days. They will go into pots. The new Council Environment Officer is being very strict that no plant should be planted that won't mature in 12 months and, apparently, a number of fruit trees are due for the chop. Heaven knows how my neighbour's asparagus bed will get past that one!

It sounds as if you have got a real "jobsworth" in charge. No strawberries, no raspberries, no rhubarb, in fact no fruit at all. No asparagus, no rosemary, no sage, no comfrey, no mint. In fact very few herbs. How is that environmentally friendly?
You shouldn't have to put raspberries in pots. It's ridiculous. Someone should point out how stupid it is.
Councils don't like their stupidity and wastefullness to be publicized.

[Gillykat]

Sounds like a right numpty jobsworth who knows NOTHING about gardening or growing stuff! What does he think allotments are composed of - annual bedding flowers?

[Jungle Jane]

Is there planning for the land to change from an allotment to housing or something hidden like that?

[greenishfing]

Is there planning for the land to change from an allotment to housing or something hidden like that?

Someone as cynical as me!!

[AntC]

Yes, the place is now run by a jobsworth but the problem is that she is just trying to get some of the rules that have been in place for years actually acted upon. One allotment has a chestnut tree that must be thirty feet high and shades two neighbouring plots and there are many instances of fruit trees getting completely out of hand and her response, whilst it is a bit draconian and strange, is sort of understandable.

The council doesn't own the land the allotments are on and there is no chance that they will be able to develop the land because it is owned by a Trust that has put watertight restrictive covenants on it.

These council officers don't seem to last long by all accounts and common sense seems to prevail in the end. Nearly every plot has herbs and fruit bushes that have been growing for years but reading between the lines it's trees that the council is trying to prevent.

One of my allotment neighbours has a Christmas tree on his plot that is probably 20 foot tall and has just sold it to the council for their entrance hall decorations, so it's not all bad! They have no idea where it came from!

[Chestnut]

Our council has a rule that trees cannot be more than 4m high, and should not cast excessive shade over another plot.
So, we have to choose variety and rootstock sensibly, but can grow fruit. Even rhubarb would be banned under your place’s rules!

[Bren In Pots]

I can see how some trees would be a problem but not rhubarb, herbs and fruit bushes.

[Jimny14]

If it were me on this plot I'd probably go ahead with my soft fruit plans unchanged and not plant a tree. It definately sounds like a badly worded rule to stop trees.
My guess is they wouldn't argue/notice soft fruit falling under the "rule" and let you continue growing unchallenged. If they brought it up and tried to stop you I may be inclined to give them a long list of all the produce that people like growing on allotments which don't mature in the first year and request that they ensure that no one else plants any more of anything on the list just so everything is fair. I would suggest that this would include anyone splitting a rhubarb corm and replanting portions, or taking any cuttings of existing fruit bushes. This should quickly make their job difficult/impossible or put them in to so much conflict with many allotment holders that the rules can either be changed or he/she resigns and is replaced with someone with more of a clue.

[AntC]

If it were me on this plot I'd probably go ahead with my soft fruit plans unchanged and not plant a tree. It definately sounds like a badly worded rule to stop trees.
My guess is they wouldn't argue/notice soft fruit falling under the "rule" and let you continue growing unchallenged. If they brought it up and tried to stop you I may be inclined to give them a long list of all the produce that people like growing on allotments which don't mature in the first year and request that they ensure that no one else plants any more of anything on the list just so everything is fair. I would suggest that this would include anyone splitting a rhubarb corm and replanting portions, or taking any cuttings of existing fruit bushes. This should quickly make their job difficult/impossible or put them in to so much conflict with many allotment holders that the rules can either be changed or he/she resigns and is replaced with someone with more of a clue.

You are right and it really is to stop trees being planted and I have now been told to use my common sense! However, a badly worded agreement lacks the common sense that I have been told to use, so round and round we go!

The raspberry plants I am expecting were recommended by a friend and they have been bred to thrive in pots so we shall see how that goes. As long as I can stop them making a bid for freedom like all my other raspberries have done, so much the better and when I find the allotment too much to cope with, they are easily passed on to someone who might want them.