been offered a plot

[gardengeordie]

Hi all,

I have been offered a plot eventually after about 8 year to keep poultry on, ideally i wanted a plot for veg also

the plot hasnt been looked after for a number of years and has no fence and alot of fly tipped waste, in our authority you only get 2 chances then your bottom of the list, im a little unsure what to do, has anyone else been in this position before?

Thanks very much

[skeggijon]

Every time I have taken a new plot it has been in a derelict state and needed a lot of work to bring it into a usable condition, but bringing a plot back from the brink has been a part of the attraction for me. Having said that, I would be loath to give up my current plot.
It depends on what you think the potential is for the plot. Will the council give you a rent free period in which to start clearing the plot? That's always been the first question I've asked and always been able to get at least 6 months. My current plot was 12 months rent free.

[lottie dolly]

Fly tipping and no fence,mmmm,is that just the plot you been offered,or is the site in general,open for anyone to enter mmmmmm,

[veggiechicken]

Do you have to keep poultry on the plot - or can you grow veg there instead?
If the plot is unfenced and there's been flytipping, is it wise to keep poultry there? I worry about livestock on allotments.

[gardengeordie]

it is quite a good location right near the road to the site, but it has old sheds which are falling down and will probably take a large skip to clear the old waste, then a fence erected around it

i have been a couple of times and found the gate widely open, there is a few hundred plots on the site but must be open post of the day i have not been past on an evening to check to see if its still open

i am just a bit hesitant on what to do for the best incase the final offer is even worse, then have to start on the bottom of the list

it is a poultry only plot i would have to put my own fence up by the looks of it

[WendyC]

Why can't you grow vegetables on it? Surely you could refuse on the grounds that you want to grow vegetables. Is the whole site fenced or each plot individually fenced? Unfortunately many plot holders leave their plots for too long before they decide to give up, by which time nature has taken over. You'd be very unlikely to get an allotment which is ready to go, they are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth.

[gardengeordie]

on this particular site it has pigeon, poultry and growing, which when i registered years ago i wanted to keep hens to but didn't realise you couldn't have both

i would say 80% of the plots are actually metal fenced with security type spikes on the top, it must just be the live stock ones that are wooded

the whole site is separately fenced off then each plot has a fence also

[Jungle Jane]

Could the next place they offer be a no poultry allotment? It might be difficult to refuse this opportunity when the next place could mean no poultry? Can you have both? Stay on the list,just stay the year or whatever at this place then decide,you've waited a long time,if you keep your fence receipts you should be able to take them with you when/if you leave,because you wouldn't want to spend money on it & then leave? You could probably put a little pot of carrots in there somewhere.

[21up]

Hi all,

I have been offered a plot eventually after about 8 year to keep poultry on, ideally i wanted a plot for veg also

the plot hasnt been looked after for a number of years and has no fence and alot of fly tipped waste, in our authority you only get 2 chances then your bottom of the list, im a little unsure what to do, has anyone else been in this position before?

Thanks very much

hi gardengeordie
and welcome it seems like you are not alone in this .
Most plots you here about are a b****y disgrace my opinion is the commities they just dont seem to get to grips with over run plots not many people get a decent one we have them on our site.
I have been on three and the last two winters i have been down plot 2 or 3 days a week from OCT to MARCH
clearing up and moving rubbish my frienda plot next to me and mine had been left 10 years so they told us.
nobody is bothered as long as they are getting rent (and people )are on the waiting list for years.
That is the annoying thing we now have 3 plots round us that are a disgrace and they keep giving them letters to tidy up but the members just do a bit of weeding and then leave it for the next letter to come.
But they do not have the guts to refuse the rent and our rules say all plots must be fully maintained
but just get on with it mate and look after yourself.
Because you will hear from them when they need help with jobs doing as we do now.
Stuff to help unload for stores and such.
Forget em look after yourself and plod on

[veggiechicken]

Where are you Geordie?
I don't want to assume I know!!

[gardengeordie]

i am in newcastle :-)

[veggiechicken]

Thought you might be
So is Snadger, who has chooks on his plot and may, even, know of an empty plot keep an eye out for his posts.
He's easy to recognise, looks like Cousin It

[Snadger]

Which part of the toon do you hail from Geordie? Our plots at Denton Dene are primarily for veg growing but up to 1/4 of the plot can be used for chooks.

I won't know how many plots we have available until our AGM at the end of February but if you live anywhere near you are welcome to put your name on our waiting list. We have five on the waiting list at present. PM me if you want your name added.

[Snadger]

PS I have seen some at Consett that are chooks only. I hope to be retiring to that neck of the woods and I wouldn't mind one meself. I would still need another for veg though!

[gardengeordie]

just hope something better comes along :-)