Allotments

General

• Allotments are provided by local authorities under various acts of Parliament including the 1925 Allotments Act. This enables local authorities to provided allotments where there is demand.
• There are 15 allotment sites in Redditch, two of which are statutory (enacted by parliament and subject different legislation).
• There are 774 allotment plots covering approximately 15 hectares.
• Allotments are a good way to keep fit, socialise and  grow healthy, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Customers

• There are 680 tenants of which 16% are female.  We currently have an 87% occupancy level, the highest in the last 10 years and growing.
• Approximately 1.8% of Redditch population use an allotment.
• 12.5% of the local population have considered managing an allotment plot.
• Approximately 73% of plot users are satisfied with the current service provided.
• 9sites currently have a committee structure.
• The current overall occupancy is 94%, the highest in the last 10 years and growing.
• The main barriers to renting an allotment plot are: not enough time, not knowing whom to contact or having a disability.
• The main issues faced by existing plot holders are security, anti social behaviour (vandalism), poor facilities and poor soils.
• The majority of sites are now full with waiting lists

The sites are at:

• Astwood Bank (Feckenham Road)
• Bridge Street, Enfield
• Papermill Drive, Church Hill
• Dolphin Road (Rear of) Abbeydale
• Moors Lane, Feckenham
• Rear of Social Club, Throckmorton Road, Greenlands
• Collinson Close (off Deer Barn Hill) Lodge Park
• Claybrook Drive, Matchborough
• Sillins Avenue (access via Sandon Close), Lakeside
• Beoley Road (Rear of Beoley Road East) Lakeside
• Tilehouse, (Rear of St Lukes, off Plymouth Road), Southcrest
• Walkwood (opposite Drake Close, rear of Walkwood Road)
• Webheath (corner of Bromsgrove Road and Birchfield Road)
• Winyates Green (End of Furze Lane)
• Sandpitts (rear of Oakly Road), Southcrest/Town Centre&

There are 3 sites currently without water.  They are: Beoley Road, Sandpitts and Church Hill.  The rest have piped water.

Allotment Charges 2008/2009

Small Plot - Plots measuring from 1sq metre to 177 sq metres

Medium Plot – Plots measuring from 178 sq metres to 253 sq metres

Large Plot – Plots measuring 254 sq metres and above

All charges are per year.

Water charge per plot £5.80

Key charge  £5.00

Reduced Rate Criteria

Tenants are eligible for a reduced rate if they claim any of the following benefits:

• Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit
• Family Credit
• Disability Working Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Invalidity Benefit
• Over 60 years of age
• Retired

The reduced rate does not include water.  The cost of water is the same for all allotment holders.

Futher Information

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens is an organisation whose aim is to Protect, promote and preserve allotments all over the country.  They can offer you legal advise and general allotment gardening advice.  As a member you will receive a quarterly magazine and will be entitled to a discounted seed scheme

Growveg is an independent site and helps people new to allotment gardening.  There is an annual subscription to this site.

Related Documents

Redditch Best Allotment Competition 2008
www.nslg.org.uk
www.growveg.com