Since 2006 the Town Council has been responsible for the management of over 225 allotment plots on five sites at Barn Lane, Cotton Lane, Nowton Road, Sicklesmere Road and the Vinefields.  This may seem a relatively straightforward area of service but allotments bring with them many issues, not only to be found in Bury St Edmunds but also in other parishes and towns.

Frequently asked questions within this part of the website are intended to explain some of these issues and to help people who might be thinking of taking up an allotment.

I’d like an allotment but how long will I have to wait?”
When the Town Council took on the management of the allotments there was already a waiting list – this has now grown to approximately 150 and many people have been waiting just over two years.

“Why don’t you provide more land?”
This is not a simple solution for the Town Council because allotment land is scarce – if you have any suggestions then let us know.

However, negotiations are underway to provide additional plots at Sicklesmere Road but it will be necessary to have the money to buy and develop the land before it will impact those who are waiting.

Additional land at Cotton Lane might also be offered to the Town Council.  Previously, allotments were maintained there but ceased apparently due to the high water level.  Efforts are being made to research the history and status of this land and any information regarding this would be welcomed.

“Why don’t you make the existing plots smaller then there would be more to go around?”
This is where past practices make change difficult – many tenants have enjoyed relatively large plots since before the involvement of the Town Council and are unwilling to give them up.  We do try to encourage those who find it difficult to cultivate large plots to reduce their size and this has led to a small number of additional plots.  New applicants are now only allocated plots equating to five square rods (126 square metres).

“Why do some non-residents of the town have an allotment?”
This is another problem area that goes back to before 2006 when some residents of the Borough had allotments in the town.  In November 2008 the Town Council gave notices to quit to such non-residents but subsequently allowed them to continue within the other terms of their tenancy agreements.  For the future, only residents of the town are permitted to become tenants.

“How do I apply?”
Click here to download the application form.

“How much does an allotment cost?
Plot sizes vary but a five square rod plot (126 square metres) on the sites with a water supply (all except Barn Lane) costs £23.00 per annum from 01 April 2010 rising to £27.60 per annum from 01 April 2011. Putting this into context, it is an outlay of £1.92 per month which probably puts it at the cheaper end of leisure and recreation.  Tenants wishing to erect additional structures, for example a polytunnel, greenhouse or shed must firstly seek Council approval and make an additional one-off payment of £10.

“How often does the cost go up?
Charges for allotments are annually reviewed.  However, the Town Council intends to make the town’s allotments self financing by 2012/13 when it is estimated that the cost for that year will be £11,077. Council has consulted tenants on how best this amount could be spread and has agreed with the majority of respondents that the costs for tenants will continue to be equally applied without concessions.

“That seems to be a lot of money – where does it all go?”
Unfortunately services are not cheap and a lot of staff time is involved.  For example, maintaining hedges and trees does not simply incur the cost of cutting them – health and safety considerations, site clearance and labour mounts up.  A recent quotation for felling a tree was for £140.  Water supplies at sites are not always taken care of – recently calling on the services of a plumber after damage had occurred cost £104.  The water bills add up to £715 per year (based on the costs over the last 31 months).  Cutting grass roadways costs in the region of £790 per year.

Behind the scenes administrative and related costs occur, despite the desire to keep them to the minimum.  It is necessary to personally deal with calls from people with queries about allotments, the waiting list or their tenancy agreements.  Where neglected plots are identified a considerable amount of time is consumed in contacting tenants and encouraging improvement or taking more severe action.  It is necessary for members of staff to visit all five allotments to resolve issues regarding plot size, non-compliance with conditions, to deal with ‘on the ground’ matters and to provide information to Councillors.  On average this takes 1.5 days per week (an aggregate of time spent by the full-time Assistant Town Clerk, the part-time Town Clerk and the part-time Administrative Assistant).  Ideally, establishing a long-term programme of how the allotments will be managed will keep administration to the bare minimum and will ensure that repairs and improvements are prioritised.

Intentions for the near future will be greatly assisted as a result of a donation from the Suffolk County Council Locality Budget by Councillor Stefan Oliver.  For example, it is intended to tackle the roadways at Cotton Lane and similar work has already been carried out at Sicklesmere Road as well as the erection of new fencing at Nowton Road.

“How secure are the allotments?”
While the Town Council endeavours to ensure that the entrance gates to Cotton Lane and Nowton Road remain secure and that fences and hedges afford some protection, the security of outbuildings and crops is the responsibility of the tenant.  Suffolk Constabulary can advise on crime prevention measures that can be taken.

“Is there anyone who can tell us the good and bad of an allotment?”
The Cotton Lane Allotment Holders’ Association (CLAHA) covers the Cotton Lane allotment site and is the largest allotment garden in Bury St Edmunds, with just over 100 plots and roughly 150 people garden there.  There is a thriving Allotment Holders’ Association - David Bailey is the Chairman.  Click here to email the Chairman.  The Town Council's Allotments 'Champion' Cllr Stefan Oliver recently attended the CLAHA's Annual Meeting and answered many questions.

"What happens if I cannot continue to cultivate my allotment?"
There may be justifiable reasons why you have difficulty in keeping your plot cultivated, for example ill health, bereavement .  The first thing you need to do is let us know of your problem.  Unfortunately some people find that they cannot tend their allotment as they should do and end up in breach of their terms and conditions.  We endeavour to allow these situations to be put right but there comes a time when it is in the interests of everyone for us to take action - to have weeds or an overgrown state extending to nearby allotments is not fair to fellow tenants nor is it reasonable for those who are on the waiting list. Recently, our actions have resulted in people having to surrender plots so please make sure that yours does not appear like this:     
  
We hope that the above information will be of help to you – it is our aim to work with allotment holders and to assist their enjoyment of a centuries old tradition.

Allotments Competition
On 19 August 2009 winners and finalists of the competition and their guests were invited to an awards presentation at the Council's offices.  Marlow's vouchers were presented to Mr Jim Bowden, winner of the "Best Allotment plot 2009" and Mr Euan Allen, winner of the "Most Environmentally Friendly Allotment plot 2009". 

It is hoped that this will become an annual event.

For more information on allotments please see:
Allotments Regeneration Initiative www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari
Allotments-Uk.com www.allotments-uk.com
National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd www.nsalg.org.uk

The council is not responsible for the content or views of these outside sites and accepts no liability for material within them.