Allotments
Why have an Allotment?
Allotment gardening is good for you and good for our environment. It can be a very rewarding pastime and can make a valuable contribution to the quality of people’s lives.
Cultivating an allotment plot provides an affordable source of fruit and vegetables, an essential part of an healthy diet. If organically grown, you’ll reduce your exposure to pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Working an allotment gives you plenty of fresh air and healthy exercise.
It’s good for your peace of mind, as well as your body. Horticulture has long been used as a therapy in both physical and mental illness and in rehabilitation. Allotments can help you get a sense of achievement.
It can help children to learn about nature and how food is grown and be a social activity, bringing together people with a common interest.
Allotment sites also benefit the environment, providing a valued habitat for wildlife. Locally grown food does not have to be transported long distances, which all helps reduce pollution and road traffic.
Renting an allotment plot provides many benefits:
- grow fresh fruit and vegetables, for you and your family, free from artificial additives.
- grow fresh flowers at a fraction of the high street cost.
- a healthy outdoor activity.
- a place to relax and unwind, improve your mental health.
- reduce the pollution associated with the transport of food.
- meet new friends and learn new skills.
- low cost rental.
Biddulph Town Council manages 2 allotment sites. The Council owns an allotment site at Park Lane and leases a site on Moorland Road.
How To Apply
To apply for an allotment plot, please download, fill in and return our ‘Application for an Allotment Plot’ – there is a link to the document below. Alternatively, an application in paper format can be collected from Biddulph Town Hall Reception.
The demand for allotment plots is high. We manage a waiting list and applications are dealt with strictly in application date order.
Waiting List
We’ll review our waiting list annually – in this review we’ll email you (if you’ve been on the waiting list for more than 1 year), to check you wish to remain on the list for an allotment plot and to check the contact details we hold for you are correct.
We do this to ensure that everyone on the list is still interested and to ensure we’re not holding on to data from people who no longer wish to have a plot. If we’re unable to contact you, your name may be removed from the waiting list.
We understand that people’s circumstances change, so if you decide you no longer want to be on our waiting list, please let us know.
The waiting time can be long, but we’re working to develop new sites.
Allotment Allocation
If a plot becomes available and you’re at the top of our waiting list, we’ll contact you using the contact details you’ve provided. You must therefore, ensure you inform us of any changes or you could lose your place on the list.
Once you are contacted with an offer to view an allotment plot, you have 14 days to visit the site and accept the plot before we withdraw the offer.
It is always advisable to visit the allotment site and see the plot before you sign the Tenancy Agreement, so you can see exactly where it is and what condition it is in.
If no response is received, we’ll assume that you’re no longer interested in having an allotment and we’ll remove your details from our waiting list.
Allotment Tenancy Agreement
You’ll need to sign an ‘Allotment Tenancy Agreement’, as shown below:
The Tenancy Agreement that is signed by allotment holders (reviewed in 2018) is here:
The conditions of Tenancy for an allotment plot are stated in the Tenancy Agreement, which is signed by the Council and the Tenant. It is a legally binding document.
Allotment Policy
A link to our Allotment Policy is here:
All Tenants must adhere to the Policy to ensure the appropriate use of the sites. Restrictions apply to such things as structures (sheds, greenhouses, etc), bonfires and trees.
Allotment Invoices
Allotment plot rents are charged annually, for the 12 month period 1 April to 31 March, and vary according to the size of the plot.
Tenants receive annual invoices by email, that must be paid by the 31 December each year. Ways to pay are provided on the invoice.
New tenants starting part way through the year pay a pro rata amount.
Allotment Structures
If you wish to erect a structure, such as a shed or greenhouse on your allotment plot, you must apply to the Council to do so.
Please download, fill in and return the form shown below:
Ending Your Tenancy
If you wish to end your allotment Tenancy you’ll need to contact the Council, advising of your plot number and the date you wish to leave. You can do this by email (office@bidulph-tc.gov.uk).
We do not issue partial refunds for allotment rent – if you paid your rent in July and then leave in January you cannot reclaim the portion of your rent from February to March.
If you have any further questions, please contact Biddulph Town Council by phone: 01782 498480 or by email: office@biddulph-tc.gov.uk; we’ll be happy to help.