Allotments

Do you live in a house with a small suburban garden with little room to indulge in your passion for gardening or maybe you need a space to escape the stress of everyday life; an allotment could be your answer.

An allotment, on average, is cheap to rent. Prices vary across the country from as little as £8.00 per annum to up to £80.00 pa, with rent usually being paid in advance. Most prices are in the region of £20-£40 pa, a bonus on top of this is that some offer discounts for certain circumstances such as the retired.

The average size of an allotment is 250 square metres; usually you can opt to rent half the plot if you think this may be too much to handle, or greater if you’re more ambitious.

To go about finding your allotment, contact your local council. They will be able to tell you where your nearest site is. You will then be allocated a site or be added to a waiting list. If there are no council sites in your area, they may put you in touch with private sites.

What your plot should have

Your plot should have a clear access path and be a safe and secure perimeter, sectioned with fences and hedges. There should be an accessible water supply on or around your plot as well as toilet facilities near by. Some plots may have site huts that act as meeting places and some may offer sheds, at an extra cost.

Advantages to having an allotment

• Good form of healthy exercise in the fresh air.
• Produce healthy fruit and vegetables with a reduced exposure to pesticides.
• Reduce stress levels.
• A sense of achievement.
• Beneficial for the environment in creating green spaces and wildlife habitats.

If you have any problems or queries with your allotment then contact the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd. They are there to deal with the preparation of leases and rental agreements, the consultation with local authorities and government offices and the preparation and revision of model/constitutional rules.