Regulations

 

• Conditions of tenancy
• Plot inspections
• Sheds
• Greenhouses
• Cars
• Gates
• Bonfires

 

Conditions of tenancy

These are the conditions which all tenants sign up to when they take on a plot.

1. The yearly rental must be paid in advance. It is due on the first day in October in each year and must be paid during that month. If this is not done the Management Committee reserves to itself the right to re-let the plot to another tenant after giving seven days’ notice in writing to the occupier.
2. Except as provided for in conditions 1, 3 and 5 the tenancy shall be terminated on either side by three months’ notice ending 31 March or 30 September, or by agreement on both sides.
3. The tenant must put and keep a legible number on the plot, cultivate the plot properly, also keep it, the half of road in front and the path between the plots, free from encumbrances and of weeds, which may injure surrounding plots. If a plotholder neglects to keep the plot, or the path for which he or she is responsible, in a reasonable state of cultivation or cleanliness at any time between 1 March and 31 October, seven days’ warning will be given to put the plot in order. If the fault is not remedied in that time a final seven days’ notice will be given to terminate the tenancy at the completion of the seven days, if the plot has not been put in order by that time.
   Any tenant planting large trees or bushes of any kind on their plot will do so at their own risk, as any such bushes or trees must be removed within one month after due notice in writing has been given to the tenant.
4. Dogs or other animals must be kept on a lead if brought on the allotment grounds, and must not be allowed to run loose. Continued complaints from other plotholders will result in the offender receiving notice to give up the plot.
5. The tenant must not sublet any portion of his or her plot or pass it over to another person without the consent of the Paddocks Allotments Committee given through its Clerk; if this is done the Committee may at once resume possession of the plot. If the tenant has more land than can be properly cultivated, he or she should notify the Clerk, who will meet them as far as possible, while taking into consideration the applicants on the waiting list desiring plots.
6. The tenant must act in accordance with any instructions which may from time to time be posted on the notice board by the Committee for the welfare of the plotholders.
7. The security of tenants against pilfering is endangered by the gates being left unfastened; plotholders are therefore urged to fasten both small and large gates when they leave the allotments.
8. An incinerator is provided and plotholders are expected to make good use of it, especially when they have diseased produce, which, if left on the ground, is likely to infect other plots.

 

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Plot inspections

All plots are inspected several times during the course of the year in order to ensure that tenants are meeting the conditions of their tenancy (see clause 3, above). Inspections begin in March and go through to the end of October.

 

Expectations are not unrealistic, and are simply designed to maintain an overall standard that benefits all the tenants on the site. So, what are inspectors looking for? These are the key things.

 

• Is the plot being actively cultivated, to grow vegetables, fruit and cutting flowers?
• Are boundary paths obvious, unobstructed and safely usable?
• Are weeds being allowed to go to seed and spread to neighbouring plots?
• Has inorganic rubbish or waste been brought on to the plot and allowed to accumulate?
• Is the plot number clearly visible at the front of the plot?

 

If the Plotholders’ Committee feels that the condition of a plot is unacceptable, then the tenant will be sent an initial letter outlining the concerns and giving him or her a fair opportunity to redress them.

 

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Sheds

Sheds have been allowed on the allotments only since 2003. Before that they were forbidden. The document signed by King George V which governs how the site is used stated that “no building or structure of any description shall be erected on any allotment”. However, this restriction has now been relaxed.

 

Prior to erecting a shed you must have permission from the Plotholders’ Committee.

If you want to put up a shed, this is what to do.

 

 

The Royal Paddocks Allotments has no insurance policy covering personal possessions on site, so any items that your shed contains are stored there at your own risk.

 

Do not store fuel or fuel cans in your shed.

 

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Greenhouses

No glass structures are permitted on site. However, certain plastic structures are allowed. Please seek permission from a member of the Plotholders' Committee before proceeding.

 

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Cars

Vehicles may be driven on to the allotments. However, space is restricted and roads are not intended for heavy traffic, so where possible please restrict usage to dropping off and picking up at your plot.

 

Park considerately, in a spot that does not obstruct others, and please be ready to move your car if requested. Make sure you display your plot number in your car so you can be contacted if necessary.

 

Download and print out this parking sign for your car windscreen

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Gates

Security is real issue. There have been several thefts and instances of vandalism in recent years. It’s crucial therefore that the gates to the site are not left open. Please shut them after you enter or leave. If someone you don’t recognize attempts to come in with you, please try to confirm that they are plotholders by asking for their plot number.

 

GATES OPEN
8.30 am all year round

 

GATES CLOSE

4.00 pm
1 December – 31 January

 

5.00 pm
1 February – 28 February

 

6.00 pm
1 March – last Sunday in March (when clocks go forward)

 

7.00 pm
Last Sunday in March (when clocks go forward) – last Sunday in October (when clocks go back)

 

5.00 pm
Last Sunday in October (when clocks go back) – 30 November

 

CHRISTMAS DAY and BOXING DAY
Gates are closed all day

 

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Bonfires

Due to continual complaints about smoke drifting towards neighbouring houses, no bonfires or incinerators may be lit on plots between 1st April and 30th September.

 

During this period, the incinerator near the seed store cafe may be used to burn dry organic matter, unless a cricket match is being played. Don’t burn too much at one time, as the structure is weakened if it gets too hot, and please make sure the fire has burned right down before you leave the site.

 

Between 1st October and 31st March, you may burn only dry plant material on your plot. Take care that smoke does not blow over the cricket pavilion or towards nearby houses.

 

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