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.