These are for the day to day application by the plot holders. For more detailed conditions please refer to the tenancy agreement and conditions of use.
- Use of the Land
Gardens shall only be used as allotment gardens for private horticultural purposes and not as market gardens or for the purpose of any trade or business.
- Cultivation Standards
Gardens are to be kept clean and free of weeds and rubbish and in a good state of cultivation, fertility and generally in good condition. Allotment sites are inspected at least twice a year and if your plot is not well maintained you may be asked to give up your tenancy.
- Paths and the Perimeter Hedge
A 45cm/18″ (minimum) path is to be maintained between plots and this is the responsibility of the allotment holder. Each allotment holder shall maintain a path to the left hand side of their plot (as viewed from the ‘central path’ of the site). Paths adjoining members’ gardens are to be maintained in good condition by the member.
Access to a half or quarter plot is via the central path or perimeter path on its boundary: not via the adjoining plot. The maintenance of the perimeter path, the central path and hedge are to be the responsibility of the association.
- Sheds and Greenhouses
4.1 Good quality sheds or greenhouses (including poly-tunnels) measuring no more than 2.5m x 1.8m (8ft x 6ft) are permitted on allotment plots.
The location of these buildings must not affect the enjoyment of neighbouring plots. All structures are to be adequately secured to the ground to prevent uplift.
4.2 If the Committee is not satisfied with any structure it can request it be removed. Any structure erected on an allotment is at the owner’s expense and risk. If an allotment tenancy is terminated then the outgoing tenant can offer any structure to the incoming tenant. If the new tenant does not wish to buy it/accept it the Committee may require the outgoing tenant to remove such a structure within 28 days. In the event of the structure not being removed from the site, the association will take responsibility for the structure and will charge the owner for the cost of its removal. Under no circumstances can the outgoing tenant make the purchase of any structure a condition of tenancy.
4.3 Plot holders must obtain written permission from the Committee prior to the construction of any structures. No signs or advertising is allowed.
- Trees and permanent plants etc.
Only dwarf type trees are to be planted on the allotment. Example root stock includes M9, M26, M27 and G5. Any fruit trees or bushes must be maintained at a reasonable height (2 metres maximum) and must not be allowed to become overgrown. Any trees or bushes must not cast shadow over neighbouring plots and the Committee may request a plot holder to reduce the size or remove any tree or bush if necessary. If an allotment tenancy is terminated then the outgoing tenant can offer any trees or bushes to the incoming tenant. If the new tenant does not wish to buy/accept them, the Committee may require the outgoing tenant to remove such trees or bushes within 28 days. Under no circumstances can the outgoing tenant make the purchase of any trees or bushes a condition of tenancy.
In any case, any permanent plantings such as hedges must have written permission from the Committee.
- Subletting
Members may not sub-let, assign or split possession of their gardens or any part thereof except with the written consent of the Committee who may use its discretion in exceptional circumstances.
- Harm and Nuisance
7.1 In the interests of safety, plot holders shall act in a manner so as not to cause danger or injury to themselves or others.
7.2 Plot holders must act in such a manner so as not to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the local community, occupants of adjoining properties or any other plot holder.
7.3 The removal of produce or other items from other tenants’ plots without their express permission will be deemed to be theft.
7.4 Plot holders causing annoyance, nuisance or theft will be subject to the Association procedures as laid out in the constitution, which may result in loss of their tenancy.
- Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and faeces are to be collected and disposed of in a proper manner. Dogs may not be kept on site overnight.
- Visitors
Members will be held responsible for the due observance of the rules by visitors.
- Vehicular Access
Vehicles are allowed within the boundaries of the allotments. Vehicles should be parked to keep all paths and gateways accessible at all times using the car parks where possible. Vehicles must not obstruct any roadway. Please be aware that we are adjacent to a residential area and Eastlands School, so all traffic entering or leaving the site needs to be extra vigilant and access will be obviously be more difficult at either end of the school day – users are advised to time their entry and exit accordingly.
- Waiting List
A waiting list of prospective tenants will be kept by the Secretary and vacant plots allocated in strict rotation by date of application. Application to be put on the waiting list must be made in the first instance by contacting the Committee.
If a vacant plot is refused by the person at the top of the waiting list they will be automatically placed back at the bottom of the list, unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing that person taking the offered plot at that time.
- Bonfires
Bonfires should only be lit, within two hours of dusk, with dry materials and extinguished if requested by other members in the vicinity. A bonfire may not be left unattended. No bonfire should be lit when the wind is blowing towards neighbouring houses.
No member shall put out another members’ fire, but shall report the offending member to the Committee.
- Barbed Wire
No barbed or razor wire is to be used on the allotment site.
- Refuse
Except manure and compost in such quantities as may be reasonably required for use in cultivation, plot holders must not deposit or allow to be deposited any refuse on the allotment field, in hedges or ditches adjacent to the field or on any adjoining land.
- Livestock
No livestock except for hens are to be kept on the allotment site (no cockerels). Bees would require the written permission of the committee.
- Sprays
When using any sprays or fertilisers, plot holders must:
- take all reasonable care to ensure that adjoining hedges, trees and crops are not affected, and must make good or replant as necessary should any damage occur, and
- so far as possible select and use chemicals, whether for spraying, seed dressing or for any other purpose whatsoever, and use them in such a way not to cause harm to members of the public, game birds and other wildlife, other than vermin or pests, and
- comply at all times with current regulations.
- Plot Numbers
Each plot should have a clear plot number. The design and materials are your choice, but the sign should be clearly visible from the adjacent path. This helps us when we need to identify plots, and it also helps new tenants orientate themselves.
- Inspections and Terminations
18.1 The Committee will carry out periodic inspections of the allotment site to ensure that:
- a) The appearance and state of the site meets the standards imposed by the landowner’s lease.
- b) No community areas (including orchards), access points or plot holders are being adversely affected by the activities, or lack of care, of neighbouring plot holders – for example, untrimmed weeds being allowed to spread their seed-heads to adjoining plots.
18.2 Following a site inspection, if the Committee decides that a plot needs attention, it will take the following steps:
- a) Contact the plot holder and advise what action needs taking.
- b) Inspect the plot 2 weeks later and inform the plot holder if it is satisfied with the action taken.
- c) If the Committee decides that further action is needed, it will inform the plot holder of what must still be done and allow an additional 2 weeks to comply.
- d) At the end of this period the Committee will inspect the plot again and inform the plot holder if it is satisfied with the action taken.
- e) If the problems affecting the plot have still not been satisfactorily dealt with, the plot-holder will be informed that their tenancy will be terminated.
- f) After termination of the tenancy, the Committee will arrange to rectify any outstanding problems on the plot. It will then, without delay, re-let the plot to someone on the waiting list or an existing member. The plot deposit will be retained in order to rectify any outstanding problems.
18.3 If a member feels unable to rectify problems identified by the Committee,
they are encouraged to contact a member of the Committee for help. For example, personal circumstances or health problems may prevent the required action being taken before the deadline. The Committee can then assist in overcoming any immediate problems with the plot. For example, tall weeds can be cut down. Any work done may incur a charge.
18.4 A serious breach of the rules will result in immediate termination of the tenancy.
18.5 A plot holder whose tenancy is terminated will not be entitled to any refund of fees paid.
18.6 A member may voluntarily terminate their tenancy at any time but will not be entitled to any refund of fees paid.
Any matters not provided for in these rules shall be dealt with by the Committee at their discretion.
- Subscription Benefits
The annual subscription will automatically include membership of The National Allotment Society and access to their website, members’ water usage, insurance and plot rental. Additional benefits may include access to manure and woodchip and occasional skip provision for disposal of non-organic matter.
