Garden allotments

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These rules have been based upon the Allotments Act of 1908 and as modified by statutes of

1922, 1925 and 1950.In case of any inconsistences then the relevant Act will take precedence.

The Sutton Bridge Parish Council falls under the definition ‘Allotment Garden ‘

1. Allotment Use

1.1 The reason for an allotment plot is the growing of fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs for

the plot holder and his or her family. Allotments may not be used for commercial gain, though

the sale of small quantities of genuine surplus is allowed

1.2 The tenant shall not plant any tree other than small fruiting trees , and or fruting bushes

Fruit trees shall be no higher than 7ft 6in and shall be prined as required

1.3 No more than 20% of a garden allotment plot may be given over to fruit trees/bushes.

The tenant must ensure that the area between the and surrounding the tree/bushes are kept weed free of weeds..

1.4 Allotments may not be used for the storage or disposal of waste or surplus material from

any other sources.

1.5 The Council will appoint an Allotment Committee who will interpret the rules below

and bring any issues to the Council’s attention in consultation with the Parish Clerk.

1.6 Any matters not provided for in these rules shall be dealt with by the Council at their

discretion 

2. Allocation of Vacant Allotments

2.1 Applicants for a tenancy of an allotment plot must be resident of

Sutton Bridge Parish and shall provide proof of residnece proir to becoming a tenant..

2.2  Where a vacancy exists, the allocation of a plot may be offerd to a non - resident charged at double the normal annual rent.

3. Inspection 

3.1 A member of the Committee, or officer of the Council  may enter and inspect an allotment plot at any time. Tenants must provide Committee members or Council officers access to sheds/enclosed structures following a request giving reasonable notice .

4. Review of Charges, Services and Rules  

4.1 These regulations override any previous regulations and the Council reserve the right

to make alterations to these regulations from time to time subject to the tenant being sent

28 days prior notice to their last known address.

5. Rent

5.1 Allotments are let annually commencing 1st October at a rate to be determined by the

Council who will notify the tenant of the rent due. Rent will be reviewed annually and paid

in advance.

5.2 A £5.00 administration fee will be charged for each rent reminder letter sent to the

tenant when payment is overdue for a period exceeding 14 days.

5.3 From the 1st January 2021, allotments holders are required to pay a deposit of

£20.00 prior to taking possession of an allotment. The deposit will be returned at the

end of the tenancy, subject to the tenant leaving the allotment in a satisfactory and

tidy condition.

6 Non-Cultivation 

6.1 The allotment plot must be kept clean and safe and must be maintained in a

good state of cultivation. Tenants must not allow weeds and grass to cause a

nuisance to neighbouring plots. A minimum area equal to 75% of the total plot

should be cultivated and active during the main growing season.

Cutting grass or covering the plot with plastic or carpet is not considered to be

cultivation unless authorised for specific reasons already agreed with by Council.

6.2 The plots will be inspected periodically by the Parish Council. If any plot is

considered to be uncultivated the plot holder will be sent a warning letter and if

no improvement or satisfactory explanation is received within 30 days,

the tenancy will be terminated with immediate effect. (If non-cultivation is

caused by ill health please contact the Parish Council)

7 Termination 

7.1 The tenancy may be terminated by the Council after 30 days’ notice if

the tenant has failed to observe the rules and conditions of the tenancy.

7.2 It may also be terminated after 30 days’ notice if the rent due is not

paid within 40 days.

7.3 The tenancy may also be terminated by the Council or the tenant by

twelve months previous notice in writing expiring on or before 6th day

of April or on or after 29th day of September in any year.

7.4 Tenants who, for whatever reason, decide to cease working on their

allotments should advise the Council immediately in writing so that the

plot can be reallocated. 

7.5 The tenant may remove any plants before the termination of the

tenancy.

7.6 Upon termination of the tenancy, the tenant will not be entitled to

receive compensation whatsoever, including compensation for the loss

of plants or for any improvement made to the allotment plot.

7.7 Tenants failing to give a full notice to quit are liable to pay twelve months rent.

8. Assignment and Sub-letting 

8.1 The tenant shall NOT under-let, assign, share, or part with the possession

of an allotment plot, or any part of it, without the written consent of the Council.

(Note: A person sharing an allotment plot with the tenant, by prior agreement

with the Council, has no right to the allotment plot when the tenancy expires).

9 Animals

9.1 No livestock, poultry, cockerels and guineafowl of any kind shall be kept

upon the Allotment Garden other than a reasonable number of hens

(maximum 24 birds) or rabbits for the tenants own domestic consumption.

9.2 Bees may be housed on the allotment with the written agreement of the

Parish Council in advance. Any beekeeper authorized to keep beehives on

the allotment site shall have completed an appropriate training course and

shall be a member of the local bee keeping association.

9.3 No dog shall be brought into or kept in the area of the Allotments by the

tenant or by anyone acting with his authority or approval.

10 Pest Control

10.1 No guns are allowed

10.2 No poisons should be used.

10.3 Small animal traps are permitted but MUST be used in such a way as to prevent

accidental exposure to children or domestic animals in accordance with current

legislation.

11 Paths 

11.1 Paths provided by tenants must be within the boundaries of their own

Allotments and kept reasonably free from weeds.

11.2 Paths between two Allotments must be kept reasonably free from weeds up to the 

nearest half width by each adjoining tenant.

11.3 Paths must be kept clear of obstructions at all times except for paths

provided by tenants only for use on their own Allotment(s).

12 Sheds, Building and Structures

12.1 The tenant shall not erect any building or other permanent structure without

first obtaining the written consent of the council and providing the required deposit. Any 

applications received by the Parish Council for the erection of any buildings or permanent structures the size should not exceed 2m x 2m x 2m.

12.2      From 1st January 2021, prior to the erection of any shed duly approved by

the Allotment Committee, a tenant is required to pay a deposit of £50.00.

The deposit will be returned at the end of the tenancy, subject to the shed having

been satisfactorily removed from the allotment. If, the shed is to be transferred to the new tenant the £50.00 deposit would be required before the deposit is returned to the existing tenant.

12.3 Fruit cages and/or polytunnels may not cover more than half of the allotment plot. 

12.4 The tenant shall not erect a fence on the allotment without first obtaining written consent

from the Council.

12.5 The Council is not to be liable for loss of, or damage to, whether by accident, fire, theft

or otherwise, for any tools or contents contained in sheds or any other structures.

13 Waste management

13.1 Allotment tenants must make every effort to compost appropriate waste materials for

future use on the allotment plot. All compost bins are to be sited away from neighbouring

properties.

13.2 Bonfires are only permitted on the tenants’ own plot, only for the purposes of the

destruction of organic material generated on the plot

13.3 Bonfires must only be lit when there is no nuisance caused to neighbouring

properties and must always be contained in bins and tended to.

13.4 Bonfires should only be lit when the wind is blowing AWAY from the neighbouring

houses. 

13.5 Bonfires shall not be lit when the wind speed is above Beaufort Scale 2 i.e , more than a light breeze above 7mph

14 Disputes

14.1 Disputes between tenants are referred to the Council and the decision of the

Council will be binding on all the tenants involved in the dispute.

15 Chemicals

15.1 No chemicals, fuel or other flammable materials to be kept on site.

16 Notices 

16.1 Tenants must immediately inform the Council in writing of changes of address.

16.2 Any notice required by this agreement to be given to the Council shall be

delivered to or sent by post to the Clerk of the Council and any notice to be given

to the tenant shall be treated as sufficiently served if left at (hand delivered) or

delivered by signed delivery post at the last known address as notified by the

Tenant or by fixing a notice in a conspicuous manner on the allotment.