River Cottage Spring How to set up an allotment

Date Published:

28/05/2008

If you fancy getting back to nature and living the Good Life, read the River Cottage guide to setting up an allotment

Do you fancy yourselves as the next Barbara and Tom? If you've always dreamed about creating your own working allotment or smallholding but not known where to start, then pop the kettle on, dig out your old jumpers, grow a beard (not essential) and take a moment to contemplate what's actually involved.

How do I get an allotment?

Contact your local council who'll be able to let you know about available plots in your area. For example, the Bristol City Council website has a comprehensive list of allotment sites across the city and even indicates which sites have vacant plots. The most popular sites have long waiting lists but if you're determined to get hands on, then talk to some of the current allotment holders to see if anyone needs an extra pair of hands. Every allotment site has a site rep - usually a volunteer - who acts as a point of contact between allotment holders, the community and the council. They may be able to give you an idea of the turnover of plots and how long your wait is likely to be.

Bristol City Council has a Beginner's Guide to Allotments, as well as information on allotment associations and related organisations. Your council may well have the same information available.

Am I entitled to an allotment?

Under the 1908 Small Holdings and Allotments Act, where there is demand, it is the duty of the local authority to provide residents, registered on the electoral roll, with allotment space. The Act even gives local authorities the power to compulsorily acquire land for allotments, if they don't have sufficient already.

The National Society for Allotments and Leisure Gardens (NSALG) is the largest and longest established organisation promoting allotments in England and Wales, and it's the only such organisation with which the government liaises on the subject. The NSALG argues that demand is defined in the act as six registered residents, living within the local authority area. Technically, if six qualifying residents get together and write to their council requesting allotment space, then the council is bound to find it.

As always, there are exceptions. The act covers England and Wales but not Scotland and a later law made inner city London exempt. Having said that, the Greater London Authority has a website to help people find their nearest plots in the city.

For guidance on getting an allotment in your area try

National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) www.nsalg.org.uk
Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society www.sags.org.uk
National Allotment Gardens Trust (NAGT) www.nagtrust.org
Allotments Regeneration Initiative (ARI) www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari for factsheets covering a wide range of subjects of interest to new and established gardeners including health and safety, installing toilets on allotment sites and fundraising.
And www.london.gov.uk/allotments for a link to down load Allotments: A plot holder's guide.

How accessible is your chosen allotment?

When starting off, it's better to have a small plot of land that's in your neighbourhood, than an ambitious plot in a distant corner of the city. Like all great ideas, that bracing bike ride across town might seem like a great idea at the outset, but will it seem as appealing as the months go by? And, looking on the positive side, how are you going to carry home your abundant produce?

How much does an allotment cost?

Your local council's website will give you a guide to what your plot will cost but, on the whole, allotments are a bargain. For example in Bristol, the price of a year's lease for a small plot from September 2008 could be as little as £10.50 and ranges up to £63 for larger 'chalet' plots. There is a 50 per cent discount for concessions and if you're brave enough to take on a wildly overgrown plot of land you'll be entitled to 50 per cent off. Most sites have running water but if you are the ambitious type and choose one that doesn't, you may be entitled to a 25 per cent reduction of the fee. And, if you're pulling up armfuls of fresh veg within your first year and not relying on supermarket produce, you'll find your allotment has paid for itself in no time.