Allotments
Welcome to Milverton Allotment Gardens, we are situated behind houses at Courtfield. The site is accessed on foot via a path between two houses opposite the Courtfield car park. The site has been owned and run by Milverton Parish council since 1947 and consists of around 50 plots which vary in shape and size with fantastic views of the countryside.
Allotments are communities of people with shared interests. You will be able to meet new people, make new friends and get involved in the life of an allotment site by sharing seeds, produce and gardening tips. You also have the opportunity to support the wider community by donating excess crops to the Wivey food project which also supports residents in Milverton.
Gardening can benefit you in many ways and contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The physical exercise involved in tending an allotment will help keep you active and the fresh air, peace and quiet and the opportunity to meet new friends is positive for mental health and wellbeing.
Growing and eating your own food is also extremely satisfying – you’ll know where your vegetables are from and what’s gone into producing them.
Below are some frequently asked questions about applying for and holding an allotment tenancy:
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR AN ALLOTMENT?
You can apply for an allotment by emailing the Clerk to the Milverton Parish Council
clerk@milvertonpc.org.uk providing the following information
Title
First Name
Last Name
Full Postal Address
Email address
Contact phone number
A member of the allotment committee will then be in touch to arrange a meeting at the allotment to show you round and discuss plot sizes and availability.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN ALLOTMENT?
It is impossible to give accurate waiting times because they depend on the rate of turnover. If you want to join the waiting list for a particular plot the wait will be longer and dependant on the current tenant giving up the plot.
HOW BIG IS AN ALLOTMENT PLOT?
Plot sizes offered have decreased in recent years due to high demand. Allotment plots are traditionally measured in ‘rods’ but in 2021 we converted all ‘rod’
measurements to square metres. Plots vary in size so a meeting with a committee member is the first step in selecting the size of allotment that would be right for you.
HOW MUCH OF A COMMITMENT IS AN ALLOTMENT PLOT?
The time needed depends on the size of the plot and how intensively you want to garden. Expect to spend four to five hours per week in the summer months, and one to two hours per week in the winter. Many people find they spend considerably longer on their plots.
Milverton Parish Council has a duty to ensure that allotment plots are put to good use, not only for the benefit of the people on the waiting list, but also because neighbouring plots can be affected by weeds spreading from neglected plots. Plots are inspected periodically, and for any that are not being cultivated, a letter will be sent requesting plots to be returned to cultivation within a month, or the council will take back the plot and offer it to the person at the top of the waiting list
To see whether an allotment is right for you, why not pay a visit to the allotment on a Sunday morning – a popular time when other plot-holders will be around to advise or answer your questions.
HOW MUCH DOES AN ALLOTMENT PLOT COST?
Allotments are charged per square metre, so the cost of your plot will depend on its size. Charges for 2023 are 12 pence per square metre, per year.
New tenants can pay by bank transfer, by cheque or cash.
The letting year runs from 1 November to 31 October. Allotment holders pay at the end of October for the following 12 months. To renew, you can pay by bank transfer,
by cheque or cash. We will take back plots which are not paid after six weeks.
CAN I SHARE OR SUB-LET MY ALLOTMENT?
The tenancy agreement is with one named individual, there are no joint tenancies. Of course, you can have help from family or friends, but the tenancy will be in your name only.
You can register a co-worker on your plot, who becomes entitled to take it over – provided they have been registered as a co-worker for three years. To register a co-worker, write or email us their name, address, telephone number and email address.
A tenant can un-register a co-worker in the same way at any time.
Plots cannot be sub-let- neither all nor part of a plot. You can give up part of your plot, but the surrendered part will be offered to the person at the top of the waiting list.
CAN I GIVE UP MY ALLOTMENT AND PASS IT ONTO A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER?
You can pass it on to a family member at any time provided your plot is not in a neglected condition and you have held it for three years. Contact a member of the allotment committee to arrange the transfer. You cannot pass your plot on to friends unless they have been registered as a co-worker for three years
CAN I APPLY FOR A SECOND ALLOTMENT PLOT?
Yes you can join the waiting list for a second allotment, however there is a limit of 2 plots and those on the waiting list with no plot will take preference. Requirements for
a second plot must be discussed in person with a member of the Allotment Committee
CAN I ERECT A SHED OR GREENHOUSE ON MY ALLOTMENT PLOT?
You may erect a shed, a greenhouse, a compost bin and a cold frame on your plot without needing permission. Sheds and greenhouses should not have permanent
foundations and should be a maximum 1.2m x 1.8m (4ft x 6ft), and no higher than 2.1m (7ft). Mark sheds with your plot number.
Contact us with your plans before you make arrangements or buy materials for any other structures (including polytunnels), because they all need permission from the
allotment committee.
CAN I GROW TREES ON MY ALLOTMENT?
The growing of trees is not encouraged by the allotment committee, however if the tree you wish to grow is a fruit tree, then email the allotment committee for
permission. Trees must be kept at a maximum height of 1.8M
I AM STRUGGLING TO MANAGE MY ALLOTMENT - WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
If you are temporarily unable to cultivate your plot (for example due to illness), inform the allotment committee and try to arrange for someone to look after it while you are
unable to stop your plot becoming neglected.
If your plot is 150.00m2 or larger, you can give back half.
CAN I JOIN AN ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION?
Plot holders are encouraged to join the National Allotment Association as membership is at minimal cost and provides each plot holder with 3 rd party insurance.
From 2024 on membership of the National Allotment Association will be part of the Allotment plot costs.
CAN I KEEP ANIMALS ON MY PLOT?
There is a policy on keeping animals on the allotments, in brief Bees can be kept at the allotment, however the total number of Beehives allowed on
the Milverton Parish allotment Garden site is 5. Hives are only allowed to be sited in the designated area of the allotment site. Beekeepers must be a member of the local
bee keeping association either directly or through the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) the national organisation for beekeepers.
A limited number of hens can be kept on the allotments subject to compliance with the Policy mentioned above.
The Allotment Committee does discourage livestock on allotments as they are vulnerable to foxes, badgers, and birds of prey, and may also encourage vermin.
Dogs are welcome at allotment sites with you, on a lead, and always supervised. Pick up any dog mess and dispose of it off site.
WE ARE NOT ALLOWING ANY ADDITIONAL HENS ON THE ALLOTMENT DUE TO THE AVIAN FLU SITUATION. THIS WILL BE REVIEWED WHEN THE AVIAN
FLU SITUATION CHANGES
HOW DO I ACCESS WATER FOR MY ALLOTMENT PLOT?
There is a policy on Rainwater harvesting, in brief although Milverton Parish Council Allotment Garden does not have a mains water supply, in 2021 the Parish council working with plot holders created 3 x 2000 litre Rainwater harvesting (RWH) stations.
The purpose of the RWH stations is to supplement the Rainwater harvesting many plot holders have in place, and to provide a water source to plot holders who are unable to provide their own Rainwater harvesting solution. The water in the RWH stations is not safe for drinking.
The Allotment committee encourages all plot holders to harvest rainwater on their plots wherever possible.
MY PLOT HAS BEEN VANDILISED – MY SHED HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO - WHAT CAN I DO?
Sadly, vandalism of allotments does happen from time to time. Report it to the police by phoning 101. It is important to make the police aware of every incident, so they
can direct resources towards spates of vandalism, if possible. Also report any incident to a member of the allotment committee and ask them to remind plot holders to lock sheds and keep the allotment gate closed whenever possible.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF RUBBISH AND GREEN WASTE FROM MY ALLOTMENT? - CAN I HAVE A BONFIRE?
There is a policy on Bonfires, in brief Green waste should always be composted If you have rubbish to dispose of it is your responsibility to do so properly, at the
recycling centre. Fly-tipping on allotment sites is extremely antisocial and illegal.
BONFIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING JUNE JULY and AUGUST
The procedure detailed in the Bonfire policy must be adhered to when bonfires are allowed.
HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH?
Milverton Allotment Gardens has a committee of 6 people (3 x plot holders and 3 x Parish Councillors) who help with the running of the site.
Cllr Anita Dakowski (Chair)
Cllr Maggie Dinning - Plot 13
Cllr John Townend
Ruth Beaumont - Plot 48
Richard Earnshaw - Plot 46
Phil Young - Plot 22
