Allotments

Here's the list of our allotment sites. The majority of the allotment sites are managed by allotment associations. These local committee structures help to manage local issues, such as security.

Here are the current prices, including for water and Active Redditch Card concessionary rates, for our allotments.

Here is how to get an Active Redditch Card for discounted prices.

No. We do not clear plots before letting them. Some of them might be overgrown when we re-let them. Some plots are handed back to the Council in good condition, but this is a rarity. You are taking plots on as they are so we recommend taking a good look before accepting to ensure you can carry out the level of work required in line with the tenancy agreement.

Generally, no, you are taking the plots on as they are, so you are responsible for disposing of those items off site in the appropriate manner.

Practically any variety of fruit and vegetables and some flowers (i.e wildflower for bees, butterflies, insects, etc). These must be for your own use, the sale of produce grown on our allotment plots is not permitted. You can also view on our website a monthly planner to give you an idea of what can be grown each month and work required on the plot.

Restrictions apply to fruit trees/bushes which must be of a dwarfing rootstock. You can only plant SIX (6) dwarf fruit tree or bushes ensuring they are categorised as M26 (or other dwarfing) rootstocks and not MM106 or M25’s. Any planted must be planted at least 2m from the plot boundary and continually maintained. Also, as per the tenancy agreement they will also need to be removed from site should you give the plot up.

Water butts should not be sunk into the ground. There shall be no more than 5 water butts for each allotment plot.

For the avoidance of doubt, any water butts which do not fall within the criteria set out above may require an application for planning
permission.

If using a water harvesting container, they can only be used for rainwater harvesting, and must not be filled via hose pipes. The maximum capacity should not exceed 1200 litres.

Yes, Allotments are a major commitment of time and effort. They need constant attention throughout the year. If you fail to develop your allotment, you risk being terminated from the plot and it being offered to the next person on the waiting list.

Information about putting up sheds, greenhouses, poly tunnels and other structures can be found here

All tenants are encouraged to collect their own rainwater.  It is also compulsory to do so if a tenant has a shed or a greenhouse on their plot. Although, some of our sites have water standpipes not all do. Rainwater harvesting is always better for the environment and crops.

Here are the rules for bonfires within our allotment sites

The Council does not deliver any materials to site due to space available for deliveries and organisation in place by tenants to manage the delivery and also tenants should only be ordering enough for their own plot and it should only be put on their own plots or in a communal designated bay in which all tenants are responsible for managing and maintaining.

However, if you ask other tenants they may have contacts who can assist you.

Yes, the tenant must promptly notify the Council or relevant Association in writing or by email of any change to contact information. Our e-mail address and contact number can be found on our website.

Your best source of advice is from experienced gardeners/ association members on site. They know the soil, what grows best in it and how to work it. There are many books and websites with advice and information also we recently put a monthly planner with guidance on our website to assist new and existing tenants on this topic and to show the level of work required on a plot not just in the nicer weather but throughout the whole year.

All such health and safety issues should be forwarded to the council before the lease has been signed. However, no tenant should be bringing this to site and if they did, they would have to remove it. We also recently had an asbestos report carried out at all sites and already dealt with any issues at the time so there should be none at any site now unless tenants have brought it themselves to site recently and again they would need to dispose of as they should not be bringing it to site.