Interested in having an allotment?
Colchester Borough Council has over 1000 allotment plots across 19 allotment sites in Colchester. At the present time all the Council's sites have long waiting lists with approximate waiting times between two to three years -although this varies from site to site.
Some local parish councils also have allotment sites. If you would like to enquire about parish allotments please click here to find your parish clerks' contact details.
| More about the allotment sites run by Colchester Borough Council... |
Where is my closest allotment?
How do I put my name on a waiting list for an allotment?
How much will an allotment cost me?
How are allotment plots allocated?
What condition can I expect my plot to be in when I am allocated it?
Will the Council clear and rotavate my allotment before I start work?
Will my allotment be inspected straightaway?
Anyone is welcome to add their name onto the waiting list for an allotment as long as they are over the age of 18 years. Colchester Borough residents are given priority to allotments over people living outside of the borough boundaries. The council only allows one allotment plot per household. |
Where is my closest allotment? There are 19 allotment sites across Colchester. Click here to find your nearest allotment. |
How do I put my name on a waiting list for an allotment? Contact Colchester Borough Council's Parks and Recreation Service by calling (01206) 282266 or e-mail allotments@colchester.gov.uk. You can put your name on the waiting list of up to 3 sites. |
Any full size allotment plot which becomes vacant is now being halved in size to give more people the opportunity of experience allotmenteering. There are various sizes of allotments but a half size plot is approximately 126 square metres. |
How much will an allotment cost me? Allotments are charged per square metre and with various sizes of plots the amount that you pay depends on its size. All but three of Colchester's allotments sites have water provided on site, which have a water charge applied. Concession rates are available to people experiencing financial hardship or claiming benefits. This includes full-time students, and people claiming disability allowances and low-incomes. The charging period for allotments is October to September which takes into account the growing season. This allows time for the majority of plots to be vacated and re-let before the start of the next growing season. Although allotment costs vary according to the size of the plot, the charges for a 125m2 plot for period between October 2011 and September 2012 are below: |
Plot type | 126m2 plot |
Plot with water | £36.54 |
Plot with water - concessionary rate | £31.50 |
Plot without water | £25.20 |
Plot without water - concessionary rate | £17.50 |
A £10 refundable deposit is charged per gate key. If and when a plot is vacated, the £10 will be refunded to the outgoing tenant. |
How are allotment plots allocated? When an allotment plot is vacated the person at the top of the waiting list for that site is offered the plot. If the plot is not accepted then the person is moved to the bottom of the waiting list and the plot is then re-offered to the next person on the waiting list. If you had your name on the waiting list for more than one allotment site then once you accept an allotment plot you are removed from all other waiting lists. |
What condition can I expect my plot to be in when I am allocated it? As the majority of allotment holders give up their allotment plot because they are struggling to maintain it, many plots can be in an uncultivated state. This doesn't mean that the allotment hasn't been worked for years, just a few months and the weeds have grown. Allotmenteering is hard work throughout the first year and a lot of time and dedication is required to maintain your plot. It can be useful to take advice from fellow allotment holders and there is also a lot of advice which can be sought from websites and reference books. |
Will the Council clear and rotavate my allotment before I start work? The Council will not clear and rotavate your allotment. It is strongly advised that you take the opportunity of looking at the allotment before you take the allotment on. If you have any concerns regarding its condition then please let us know when you accept the tenancy. The Colchester Allotment Association hires out equipment including rotavators, strimmers and mowers to members. Membership is currently £3.50 for 1 year or £10.00 for 3 years. If you would like become a member visit Colchester Allotment Association. |
Will my allotment be inspected straightaway? A three month grace period is given to all new allotment holders. After this period your plot will subject to allotment inspection where we would expect 50% or more of the plot is in productive use, i.e. perennial fruit, flowers or vegetables, or soil is overturned. There should be little or no long vegetation on the allotment plot. |
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