Private allotment

[Tommydoes]

Hi, looking for some advice from allotment enthusiasts please.

We have bought a house with private enclosed allotments, these are sectioned off from the main garden by a brick wall. There are six plots, compost bin and a new greenhouse.
The house is a complete doer-upper so I don't have time to tend and care for allotments at the present time. I did try over the last two years but simply do not have the time.

I have seen that local allotments have at least a couple of years on their waiting list. This made me think that I could offer the allotments to any enthusiasts to use the space as they so wish. They would have a separate entrance so no need to enter our garden.

Has anyone done this before? If so, how did you go about this? Or is this a crazy idea? Any words of wisdom or experience appreciated x

The only thinsg I would say is that an allotment is a long term project with the inital outlay needing several years of crops to pay for itself. (However, some of that outlay is a shed and you already provide that). Plus soil quality and even some crops take years to become productive.

Therefore, if you go down this route, expect the possibility that someone will want it for years (some people hold allotments for decades!). If you are only offering short term then be clear about this from the off.

They will also need/expect a water supply.

I think private allotments offer other services too so I am not sure, cost wise, you can compete and council allotments tend to be very cheap - I pay £30 for the year. So it may not be financially very lucrative at all, especially if you are providing water.

This made me think that I could offer the allotments to any enthusiasts to use the space as they so wish

Also, allotments often allow bees and chickens to be kept onsite and visiting dogs with the allotment keeper. Worth considering if this will not suit you...

Thank you so much for the reply.

My plan was to not be to charge anything and I'm on a fixed rate for water so that is covered. I was a bit dreamy and hoping for a community get together lol

Ah, then the money thing doesn't matter.

Still, worth thinking about the animals and how long term this might be.

Could a local charity/ school use it? On a formal agreement basis?

It's a lovely idea but I would take some advice before letting them
Things to think about
Security of site - Inc access to your property from the allotments
Is there car access or nearby parking bonfires
Beekeeping /chickens
Pest control
Insurance - are you liable if any accidents happen or a bonfire gets out of control
Use of pesticides
Toilets - every site I've been on has some facilities.
'Neighbour' disputes - (we have had disputes over weeding- or lack of)
Maintenance of shed
Would you allow more sheds

I'm.sure there are other things - just wanted to indicate that it may not be as simple as just finding some people who want the space

I’ve been the user of a private “allotment” - actually greenhouse. Main lesson from that is both sides need to be very clear about each other’s expectations.

Thank you so much for all your advice. I might just ask my neighbours if they want to use it x