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Gateshead Council

 

Allotments provide the opportunity for you to grow own produce and to get plenty of fresh air and exercise. An allotment is a piece of land which is wholly or mainly cultivated for the production of fruit and vegetables; they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the size of your plot will determine the rent you will pay.

There are many benefits of working on an allotment for plot holders and their families as it provides the opportunity to enjoy green spaces away from the pressures of modern living. Working at your own pace provides regular physical exercise and occupies the mind. The produce grown can contribute toward a healthy balanced diet and being part of the gardening community brings an opportunity to meet and share experiences with people from all walks of life.

Allotments provide opportunities for everyone and many people with physical and mental health issues can find a particular advantage from the health and social benefits of an allotment; the allotment can provide a place of relaxation and offer solace to many.

Allotments can be a large responsibility and if you are new to food growing it is worth considering other places to grow food first. This includes growing at home or in community or shared garden. For more information on Places to Grow and a whole host of other growing advice and tips see Grow It Gateshead|

Applying for an Allotment in Gateshead

Gateshead Council is an allotment provider who can grant renewable one year leases for plots of land for cultivation FOR RESIDENTS OF GATESHEAD ONLY.

To apply for an allotment please complete the following application form and return to Customer Service Unit, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead, NE8 1HH

Allotment Application Form|

Applicants can apply to be on the waiting list for a maximum of two allotments at the following sites.

List of Allotment Sites|

The Allotment Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding contract and it is important that all allotment holders read the standard terms and conditions thoroughly before applying for allotments. For instance, the Agreement explains the importance of paying rent and the conditions of use of the plot in respect of fencing, buildings, animals, fires and standards of cultivation.

A contract is needed to ensure correct management and use of plots. It establishes the roles and responsibilities of both the Council, as landlord, and the plot holder.

Standard Allotment Tenancy Terms| 

Allotment waiting lists in Gateshead

Due to an increasing interest in food growing the numbers of residents applying for allotments exceeds the supply of available sites.

As a result, working with the various allotment associations in the Borough, we've reviewed the allocation and management of allotments. The Allotment Review has resulted in a new Allotment Strategy with the following aims.

•  To reduce overall waiting lists
•  Introduce a consistent proactive   approach to management
•  Introduce minimum standards for quality of fencing / structures
•  Provide guidance regarding roles, responsibilities and expectations
•  Encourage directly managed allotments to form allotment associations

We are endeavouring to reduce the waiting list in a number of ways including encouraging plot-sharing schemes and providing land for shared community allotments. Although this will not be available on all sites as facilities on sites vary.

If you are currently on the Allotment Waiting list the Council will be writing to you during the autumn/winter of 2011 asking you to confirm your details and a number of other points including if you are still a Gateshead resident and if you wish to consider leasing a half-sized plot.

 

Gateshead Allotment Societies

Over 50% of allotments are managed by allotments societies. Two of the largest are Gateshead and District Allotment Association and the Whickham Allotment Association

Applications for allotments should still be directed to the Council. But for information the contact details for the Gateshead allotment societies are listed below.

Gateshead and District Allotment Association
John Cole 329 Rawling Road Gateshead

Whickham Allotment Association
John Osbourne , 8 Orange Grove, Whickham NE16 4TA

Eric Grainger, 39 Kingsway, Sunniside, NE16 5NW  

Bill Quay Community Farm Association|  

Bleach Green Allotment Association
Mr. J. Brewer, 14 Croftdale Road, Blaydon, NE21 4BG

Fell Bank Allotment Association
Mr Pick, 7 Springfell, Portmeads, Birtley, DH3 2NF

Strothers Hill Allotment Association
Mr H Cowley, 7 Orchard Avenue, Rowlands Gill, NE39 1EF

New Sands Allotment Association
Mr A Field, 1 Bates Lane, Blaydon, NE21 5TG

The Council is encouraging the formation of new allotment associations where there are currently none. Groups wishing to establish an Association receive a discount in their rent for managing allotment applicants on behalf of the Council.

Independent allotment associations also have the ability to apply for external funding to improve sites although in terms of responsibilities they are placed under a greater duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

The Council is happy to offer advice and assistance to any group wishing to start an allotment association or run a community allotment and is willing to provide assistance in setting up a Community or Allotment Association.

Health and safety on allotments

It is important that Allotment holders are aware of the Health and Safety implications of being an allotment holder as there are various hazards which can exist.

• Personal safety – keeping your allotment well cultivated and free from rubbish contributes to a safer environment for yourself and any visitors to your plot.
• Unfortunately it is a fact of life that vandalism can occur on allotment sites which is often mindless and random – whilst there is an inclination to erect high fencing to protect your plot and possessions experience has shown that this only encourages vandalism and theft and that it is those allotment sites which are open with little or no internal fencing which suffer the least
• Pesticides & fertilisers – You need to be aware of the harmful effects of these products not only on the food you are growing but the danger of them falling into the wrong hands and then becoming a danger to yourself and visitors to the site.

The law relating to allotments

There is a wealth of law which protects the provision and use of allotments including the following

• Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908
• Land Settlement Facilities Act 1919
• Allotments Act 1922,1925,1950
• Local Govt Act 1972
• Human Rights Act 1998

External links

Help for Community Allotments and Associations

NSALG| – National Society of Allotment and leisure gardens

ARI |- Allotment Regeneration Programme

FCFCG| – Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens

Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council|
For advice on volunteering and setting up a community group.

Groundwork North East|

www.professionals4free.org.uk| 
Free national legal advice to voluntary & community groups