Are bonfires allowed on allotments?
The use of bonfires on Allotments is covered in section 3.4 of the Allotment Rules
Bonfires are permitted under certain conditions, which are designed to prevent a nuisance being caused to neighbouring residents and other plot holders. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is an offence to cause a nuisance through the generation of ‘smoke emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance’. Therefore the tenant must conform to the following requirements:
No bonfires are permitted between 1 April to 30 September.
Bonfires are permitted between the 1 October to 31 March each year on Tuesdays after 12pm and the first Saturday of the month after 12pm.
Bonfires must be extinguished if not burnt out by dusk.
Only burn when suitable weather conditions permit, to avoid causing a nuisance (wind drift etc)
Only burn organic matter and dry vegetable matter that has been produced on your own plot. Do not burn material that has been given to you from other plots.
Do not set fire to massive piles of materials, but start with a medium stack and add further material in stages.
Non-vegetable matter such as plastic, rubber, carpet or roofing felt must not be burnt, and flammable liquids such as old sump oil must not be burnt or used to light fires.
In the event of a reasonable complaint, from another tenant or member of the public, regarding a nuisance being caused by the bonfire, then the fire must be extinguished immediately
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Can I add a second name to my allotment tenancy?
Having recently reviewed the allocation of second tenants the Council has decided that as of Monday 3 August 2009 it will no longer operate a second tenant system.
A tenancy agreement is made between one named individual and the Council. When this agreement comes to an end or is terminated by either party, the plot would then be offered to the next person on the waiting list for that particular site. In exceptional circumstances the Council may allocate the plot to an individual who has worked the plot with the named tenant. The Council will consider any such requests on a case by case basis and the Council's decision is final.
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Can I compost green waste on my allotment plot?
Yes, this is an excellent way of increasing the fertility of your plot. This allows all your vegetable material to be recycled and limits the amount of waste to be removed from the site. Burning and dumping is not permitted on any of the Allotment Sites.
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Can I have more than one allotment plot?
Because of the high demand for allotment plots, the Council has restricted the allocation of plots to one per household.
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I currently have a half sized plot, is it possible to have a larger one?
The Council has introduced a progression scheme. This allows current allotment tenants who have a half sized plot to apply to the Council to be added to the progression list. This would enable them in time to exchange their half sized plot to a single full sized plot. For example, you have a half sized plot and are on the progression waiting list. A full sized plot becomes available, you will be offered this full sized plot and if you decide to accept the offer, you will be required, in exchange, to relinquish the tenancy of your current half sized plot. Your half sized plot will then be offered by the Council to the next person on the site waiting list.
The progression list will be a stand alone list and will work in the same way as the existing site waiting list.
The application and allocation criteria is as follows;
| Must have been a tenant at the site for a minimum period of 12 months. |
| Must not have received any Non Cultivation letters or Notices to Quit from the Council within the previous 12 month period. |
| Must not currently hold more than one half sized plot. |
| The named tenant must apply direct to the Council in writing or via email at allotments@stalbans.gov.uk |
| Plots are offered on an as-seen basis. |
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How big is an allotment plot?
Allotment plots vary in size, but most are around 125 to 250 square metres in size.
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Do you have any hints or tips for new tenants?
There are plenty of books available at your local library and lots of expertise from other plot-holders, who are eager to share their knowledge.
Here are our top ten tips
Don't rush in and try to do too much digging too quickly. |
| Start your ground preparation in autumn, aiming to complete all your digging before the end of the year. |
| Remove perennial weeds; try not to break their roots, as leaving pieces in the ground will only serve to propagate these plants. |
| Start a compost heap. |
| Do not sow seeds too early; allow time for the ground to dry out and warm up in spring. |
| Water newly planted seedlings regularly and try to collect as much rainwater as you can, as it is good for your plants and good for the environment. |
| Plant seeds in rows rather that scattering them; it's much easer to weed between rows of plants than it is when they are randomly scattered. |
| Put mulch down on bare soil, it will help to slow the growth of weeds and improve water retention. |
| Aim to get a succession of crops throughout the year. |
| If your site has an association, it's well worth joining. It’s a great way to meet new people and take part in social events that they often organise throughout the year. |
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Does the Council collect rubbish from allotment sites?
Yes, at the large allotment sites the Council currently arranges for the a 7 yard skip to be delivered twice a year on the 3rd Friday or March and October at the following sites.
- Sandridge Road Allotment Site
- Folly Lane Allotment Site
- Nunnery Allotment Site
- Burydell Allotment Site
- Cottonmill Allotment Site
- Sopwell Mill Allotment Site
- Camp Allotment Site
- Camp 1 Allotment Site
Green waste should be composted on the tenants plot and not put in the ship. At sites that do not have a skip tenants are expected to depose of any rubbish themselves.
Please note, the Council is currently reviewing the provision of skips on allotment plots.
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How much do allotments cost?
The annual rent depends upon the size range of a plot. Current prices for April 2012 to March 2013 are as follows:
| Price per full size plot | £43.06 |
| Price per three quarter sized plot | £32.29 |
| Price per half size plot | £21.53 |
| Price per quarter sized plot*** | £12.08 |
Please note, a one off administrative charge of £11.50 is payable by new tenants. This amount is non-refundable. The reduced rate is applicable to pensioners/low income groups**
**A minimum invoice charge of £10.50 applies to all transactions and plot prices may vary (this fee applies to plot rental fees only)
From 1st April 2013 until 31 March 2014 the Allotment charges will be:
| Price per full size plot | £TBC |
| Price per three quarter sized plot | £TBC |
| Price per half size plot | £TBC |
| Price per quarter sized plot*** | £TBC |
Please note, a one off administrative charge of £TBC is payable by new tenants. This amount is non-refundable. The reduced rate is applicable to pensioners/low income groups**
***A minimum invoice charge of £TBC applies to all transactions and plot prices may vary. (this fee applies to plot rental fees only)
| Plot Range | Size Range |
| Full Sized Plot | 252 sqm (or above) - 190 sqm |
| Three Quarter Sized Plot | 189 sqm - 127 sqm |
| Half Sized Plot | 126 sqm - 64 sqm |
| Quarter Sized Plot | 63 sqm or less |
sqm = Square Meters
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Can I install a shed on my allotment plot?
The council will give landlords consent to install a non-permanent (for example, installed on paving slabs and not on a concrete base) shed or greenhouse measuring a maximum of 6 x 8 ft.
Please note that in some locations you may need to obtain planning permission, so it is advisable to contact the Planning Department to seek advice.
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