unused plots
Have you noticed how many plots have not been cultivated this year, over grow with grass and weeds, if there is such a long waiting list why have these not been used. Some people have attempted to grow crops but then disappeared. Why can they tell sue they do not require them anymore. They arrive on site full of enthusiasm but find it’s a lot harder than they thought. There are people on the waiting list would love to have a plot. The council should repossess these plots and give to people on the list.
on our site in Burton On Trent we have 2 inspections a year if on the first one normal early May you haven`t worked your plot you get a letter giving you a warning and time limit to do something with it (2/3 of your plot should be culitaved at all times) if this isn`t done then they can ask you to leave . We all sign agreement when we first take on a plot. second inspection is August time. On our site we have a waiting list of 10 and of 160 plots at the moment there are about 3 plots not culivated but this is because the people have sadly passed away . and the committee are clearing the plots. this should be adopted at all allotments.
On my allotment site we have 250+ plots 18 month waiting list and over 130 people on it. Each plot has to be 50% cultivated and 50% to be kept strimmed and tidy. I walked around 2 weeks ago and counted 14 plots not used and in very bad state, grass 4 foot high, and 20 plus only part used,. maybe large plots could be made smaller and give more people a chance to own a plot. It is council run but with 23 sites around the city it must be a hard job keeping control of them all. Maybe like your site the plot holders should have more control on what is done.
We have had our plot for a year and a half now, it was like a prairee, but with hard graff we have made it look good, we hope. Yes large plots should be made smaller if the allotment holder doesn't keep it up together. Where we our, there was a double plot taken on, but it is now overgrown and used as a dumping ground. I agree it must be hard job for the council to run 23 sites, but a part timer is no good for the job. Like you say the plot holders should have more control on what is done, what it needs is a committee of people who are dedicated to owning an allotment plot and keeping the whole site up to scratch and start throwing out the ones who like to say they have an allotment to their friend and don't do s..d all on it. plus lots of people take on a plot and have no idea what is involved and give up, so a plot wasted. Something has to be done about these wasted plots and the thieves who raid plots of onions, carrots, strawberries, potatoes etc.
hear hear and the group selected need to be strong with the backing and support of the allotment manager/ Council.
The part time system of management is a no no and may be we should be informing the management further up for a meeting to see what can be done
I agree, have been on a waiting list for over 2 years...Would love a go at my own plot. I have walked round many allottments, the amount of derelict plots is unbelieveable... I would take one!
Hj you need to badger via phone, email, even letter and back it up with photos of the vacant/untended plots and ask why is there a waiting list and dont give up.
The reasons for the mismanagements of plots are mostly due to illness, age, and, yes, to a misjudgment of the effort involved.
Our allotment site has, recently, gone self-managing and, even with the new hard-line introduced it is difficult to dislodge uncapable tenants.
We have introduced a new vetting system by dividing two plots in three strips each and giving them out on a trial basis to would be tenants. Those who prove themselves to be seriously interested will, when there is one available, be given a full allotment (5 roods nowdays).
It has yet to prove itself.
Another measure could be to coherce old and unwell people to give up part of their land to someone willing to accept such an arrangement in the hope of getting a place of their own.
But however you proceed you have to try an do so in a way that is not humiliating to the dispossessed and avoid to create causes for friction.
Utopia is another country east of Eden, I'm told
Hi,
I'm new to this site and allotment holding. I am in Blackpool and have had my plot for 4 months, I was on a waiting list for about 2 years. our council is now halving all plots as they become vacant and encouraging people who have had plots for years to down size to half plots which is great but the problem I have found is the variety of sizes of plots. it is dead random i have a half plot 11 feet across and just up the site a half plot is 16.5 feet and you don't get a choice. I have 4 kids and would have been much better placed on the larger half plot where a single bloke with no family has been placed, don't make sense, it's a good idea to make more plots available but there needs to be some thought put into allocation.
On our allotment new members are given a third of a plot which i think is a far better way and helps get the waiting list down.
Hi to all posters before me.
I find your experiences interesting. In Llandeilo, South Wales, we set up a constituted group of volunteers and approached National Trust for some land. There was no land available from the local council. Using guidlines negotiated between N.T. and ourselves we are left to manage the administration, care and allocation of 61 plots.
We are starting our third growing season and during these early years we experienced a high drop out of enthusiastic wanna-be allotmenteers. Our waiting has settled to about a dozen.
I don't expect this model to work everywhere and it requires a small band of dedicated people but it might be worth approaching your local council to relieve them of the 'burden' of administration!
Brian