Since 2006 the Town Council has been responsible for the management of over 280 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 140 and people have been waiting just under three 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.

In March 2011 Council leased from St Edmundsbury Borough Council an area of land at Cotton Lane which provided an additional 38 allotment plots thereby helping to ease the waiting list for allotments.  It decided not to proceed with the purchase of additional land at Sicklesmere Road as it was felt that the potential contamination of the land and the cost of determining this, as well as the costs of developing the site made it less attractive.

“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 £27.60 per annum from 01 April 2011 rising to £32.20 per annum from 01 April 2012.  Putting this into context, it is an outlay of £2.30 per month which probably puts it at the cheaper end of leisure and recreation.  The cost of a plot on the new part of the Cotton Lane site is £46 per year, fixed for five years until March 2016.  Tenants wishing to erect any structures, for example a shed, greenhouse or even a polytunnel must firstly seek Council approval.

“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 consulted tenants on how best this amount could be spread and 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 clearing a plot was £550, for erecting a new fence was £1,380 and for removing tree branches was £380.  Water supplies at sites are not always taken care of and £236 has been spent in the past 12 months on the services of a plumber.  The water bills add up to an average of £837 per year.  Cutting grass roadways costs in the region of £800 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 3 days per week (an aggregate of time spent by the full-time Assistant Town Clerk, the part-time Town Clerk and the part-time Alllotments and Administration 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.

“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 - Simon Curtis is the Chairman.   Click here to email the Chairman.

"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.

2011 Allotments Competition

The presentation to the winner and finalists of this years competition took place at the Council's offices on 15 November 2011 as part of the St Edmund's Day celebrations.  Vouchers kindly donated by Marlows Home & Garden Centre of Bury St Edmunds and Thompson & Morgan of Ipswich were presented by Chairman, Cllr Bob Cockle, to Steve Ohlsen, winner of the "Best Allotment Plot".  Second prize was awarded to Jim Bowden (the winner for the previous two years) and third prize went to Chris Cole. 

2010 Allotments Competition

The awards presentation for the winners and finalists of this years competition and their guests took place at the Council's offices on 10 August 2010.  Vouchers kindly donated by Marlows Home & Garden Centre of Bury St Edmunds and Thompson & Morgan of Ipswich were presented by Bury St Edmunds Town Council Chairman, Cllr Bob Cockle, to Mr Jim Bowden, winner of the "Best Allotment Plot" for the second year running, Mrs Hayley Chant, winner of the "Most Environmentally Friendly Allotment Plot" and Mr Colin Scarfe as "Best Newcomer 2010"

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.