Anybody got tips fpr jumping the allotment queue?

[Rforron]

The waiting list for an allotment from my local council is approx 2 years . Have stated that I am willing to share a plot if someone else wants to. Phone the relevant officer about every 3 months so he knows Im still keen. So far (10 Months) have moved up 4 places on the list. Anybody got any suggestions that might help me to be boosted up the list?

[lynda66]

only ...... you should have got your name down sooner ..... many of us are in the same boat, you're lucky you've moved up the list at all

[jacob marley]

Three year's ago it was no problem but now it is the smart thing to have a allottment they have all been taken up but when a new fad come's along or half of the plot holder's die of the plague you just have to get in line....jacob

[Novice Gardener]

There was a bit about in the GYO mag a few months ago, peeps on here were asked for tips on how to jump the queue. I know a couple of people were kind of unhappy about others giving tips on how to queue jump, but for what its worth, heres what I did. I called the lottie officer almost every day asking about plots I'd seen that looked unworked in the local area. The days I didn't call I emailed her. In short, I made a bit of a nuisance of myself, but it worked, because in the end she emailed me saying there was a plot available nearby to me that I probably wouldn't want because it was so overgrown and quite a few people ahead of me on the list had looked at it and turned it down....... needless to say I jumped at the opportunity and I'm now the proud "owner of 125sq metres of land. Its been real hard work, but worth every minute spent there Good luck.

[jacob marley]

Are but you are not the owner only the custodian and it sound's like you are going to leave in a lot better condition than when you took it over good luck with it i hope it is all that you wanted and you spend many happy hour's there....jacob

[Snadger]

Bribery has been known to work........or even a good dose of nepotism! Sorry, I shouldn't joke about it!

I managed to get an allotment very quickly but I was prepared to travel up to 15 miles! Managed to get one 7 miles away........a 2 hour walk each way!

[Novice Gardener]

Are but you are not the owner only the custodian and it sound's like you are going to leave in a lot better condition than when you took it over good luck with it i hope it is all that you wanted and you spend many happy hour's there....jacob

Too true Jacob, too true. Mind you, I'm not planning on leaving it in the near future. I reckon I might have a good 40 years or so there before I'm ready to hand it back

[gojiberry]

To a certain extent I think it is a bit of a post code lottery. Some councils are ploughing thousands into new and old allotments. I know that our council has opened up at least 4 new sites in the last 18 months. As novice gardener says you need to make a pest of yourself both to the council and the allotment chiefs. Good luck for the future.

Ian

[vegnut]

It's a long haul to get there, but it's certainly worth it in the end. Good luck.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't think of it as queue jumping ... but persistence aka being keen, can pay off. Or it can backfire, if you're pushy.

Site reps will want people who are committed, friendly and will keep the plot worked and in good condition. Show you're keen. Get up the site and chat to the Rep and the other plot holders.

You probably won't be waiting 2 years anyway ... a lot of people on the list will be dead wood ... people who give up waiting, or get a plot somewhere else, or go off the idea.

I was on 3 lists, and got a plot within 4 months in the end. Then I got offered another (I declined the second)

[Geordie]

Have you tried going to the allotmant sites and talking to people. This could result in somebody wanting to share a plot or unused plots that Council may not be aware of.

[Jimmy]

Buy a machine gun ?

[SlugLobber]

I was going to suggest becoming a councillor. That seems to be the way to get a plot, these days...

[geoff]

Tips on getting an allotment plot more quickly were fairly well covered in Allotment Finder a few months ago, round about July. Browse through the forum, or use Search.
Without trying to be too boastful, I included quite a few tips But briefly, don't just put your name down and sit back and wait. Get out there, look at allotments and talk to the plotholders, they will know of plots that are available, but are possibly not on the council records. If you stress to the council that you are willing to take on a neglected plot they might let you have it sooner, as if a plot is very overgrown some prospective tennants will turn it down.
This process takes time, but it remains in the system, blocking up the waiting list. If you want to jump the queue you will almost certainly have to take on a neglected plot; often the council will let you off the first year's rent for a very overgrown plot

[Digger-07]

Keep watching for unused plots and keep pestering. You will find that a good time is just after the rent notices have gone out when people don't bother to renew.