Approved Structures

Putting up Sheds, Greenhouses, Poly Tunnels and other Structures

You may put up a shed and other temporary structures, such as greenhouses, poly tunnels, water containers or compost containers. These structures must not take up more than a quarter of your plot in total. You should keep all structures well maintained and in good condition.

You are allowed to have one shed on your plot and either a greenhouse or a poly tunnel.

Where possible, put structures at the rear of your allotment plot or as directed by your Allotment Association, Redditch Borough Council or Bromsgrove District Council.

A gap of at least 2 meters should be left between any structure and the boundary fence of the allotment perimeter/ private garden alongside the allotment.

You should not build structures with permanent foundations. Sheds or greenhouses may be supported on temporary foundations that are a maximum of 22 centimetres (9”) deep and laid dry (eg the structures should be placed on a slabbed base or gravel base but not affixed to the ground or the base by means of fixings or by driving posts into the ground). No sub-ground foundations shall be permitted.

Excluding green houses and poly tunnels, the structure shall be finished in mid/dark green/brown or black in colour using paint or approved wood preservative

For the avoidance of doubt, any structures which do not fall within the criteria set out on this page you may require an application for planning
permission in addition to Landlord Consent. This includes any desire to erect more than 2 structures on an allotment plot or to erect
structures other than sheds, greenhouses, poly tunnels or livestock houses, pens and runs.

If a structure on your plot doesn't meet the conditions set out here, the Council or Allotment Association  may ask you to take it down and you will have 30 days to do this in line with your tenancy agreement.

 Individual structure information

You are allowed to have one shed up to 3 meters by 2.4 meters and 2.6m high (10’ by 8’ by 8’6”).

Construction and materials

Your shed can be made from a kit, in metal or timber.

Alternatively, you can build your own shed from clean sawn wood. Your shed must be made from a wooden structure, with or without
window of glass or clear plastic, for the storage of gardening equipment and tools only. Chimneys are not permitted, and sheds should not be made from hazardous substances/materials

Your shed should have guttering connected to a water container/ butt.

Your greenhouse cannot exceed 19ft long x 9ft wide and 8ft 6ins overall height.

Greenhouses should be with transparent walls and/or roof, of glass or sheets of clear plastic for the cultivation and protection of plants under controlled conditions including conditions in which temperature and humidity can be controlled. Thin polythene sheeting is not allowed.

A poly tunnel can be up to 6 meters by 3 meters (20 feet x 10 feet). Poly Tunnels should be made of polythene-covered frame under which seedlings or other plants are grown outdoors.

Shall mean any structure constructed of timber or purpose-made pre-formed plastic for the purposes of the keeping, sleeping, feeding or nesting of chickens, rabbits or other permitted livestock. Cockerels are not permitted.

Shall mean any structure which enables permitted livestock to exercise outside of the Livestock House, or Pen and which is constructed of timber and chicken wire netting

Compost containers can be up to 1.2 meters by 1.8 meters by 0.76 meters in height (4' x 6' x 2'6"). They can be made from wood or mesh or from an approved manufactured design.

Pre-constructed plastic compost containers should be in mid/dark green/brown or grey/black in colour and should not be sunk into the ground.

Handmade or wooden composting containers shall be finished in mid/dark green/brown or black in colour using paint or wood preservative and shall be no greater than 92cm wide x 92cm deep x 92cm high (3’wide x 3’deep x 3high).

There shall be no more than 5 pre-constructed plastic or wooden compost containers for each allotment plot. For the avoidance of doubt, any compost containers or facilities which do not fall within the criteria set out above may require an application for planning permission.

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.

Tenants must not have more than one fruit cage on the Allotment Plot and should not exceed 2 meters in height.

Structures exceeding the above

If you are wishing to have a structure that exceeds the above specifications, you will need to seek planning permission, please complete our supplementary application form.

  If you would like to discuss your requirements with us, here are our contact details.

Allotments Team

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