GENERAL
There are currently three allotment sites within Bishopstoke Parish, one in Jockey Lane, one in Underwood Road and the recently opened site at Sewall Drive. Each site is managed on a day to day basis by a small committee of volunteers under the direction of Council Officers. For more information about allotments please email allotments@bishopstokepc.org.
To go on the waiting list for a plot at one of our sites, please use the online application form or contact us directly by emailing allotments@bishopstokepc.org or call 07444 798083 and leave a message. Details about each individual site, including the current waiting time, are available via the links above.
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The proposed allotments at Bow Lake Gardens still have a number of difficulties preventing them from going ahead. The site is still with the Borough Council and although the transfer process to Bishopstoke Parish Council has begun the Parish Council is still assessing both the need for and the cost of providing a fourth allotment site in Bishopstoke. There are a number of problems with the site itself which mean it would be very costly to bring the site up to the point where it could function as an allotment site. This site is unlikely to be operating as an allotment in the near future and may not ever be suitable for that function.
ELIGIBILITY
Each allotment site may have slightly different rules as to who is eligible for a plot.
Currently Jockey Lane is the most restricted as that currently has around a three year
wait before someone reaches the top of the waiting list. All waiting times are approximate
but we do our best to monitor them.
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Jockey Lane - To be eligible you must be a resident of Bishopstoke.
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All other sites - To be eligible you must live within 3 miles of the boundary of Bishopstoke.
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You are allowed to have other people help you with your plot, but for safety reasons we ask that you provide the Council with a list of names of those who have permission.
RENT
The current rent is £12 per rod per year, or £8 per rod per year for those tenants aged 70 or over The Parish Council will review the rent annually and rental demand letters will be sent to plot holders each September. Payment is expected to me made online via BACS although we do still accept cheques. Unfortunately we can no longer accept cash payments.
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From 1st October 2023, any new tenancies are only granted upon receipt of a deposit of 1 year's full rent (before any discount is applied).
SITE FACILITIES
Jockey Lane has 35 plots, a toilet and running water.
Underwood Road, has around 130 plots, a toilet, allotment shop (open on weekend mornings only), kitchen and running water.
Sewall Drive has 28 plots and will shortly have a small number of raised plots suitable for wheelchair users and others with difficulty bending down to the ground. It also has a toilet and running water.
ALLOCATION
Once you reach the top of the waiting list you will be offered the next available plot. Whilst it is possible to have a preferred site you will initially be offered the first plot that becomes available on any site. You can choose not to take up the offer and instead wait for a plot at your preferred site but this may increase your waiting time as the turnover frequency differs at different sites. At any point you can let the Allotment Officer know that you would like to go back on the general list and you will be offered the next plot that becomes available no matter which site it is on.
Most plots now are around 125 square metres (5 rods) although some are slightly smaller and there are still some that are double the size. Should you wish to add a second plot you will go back onto the waiting list at the bottom and in due course be offered an extra plot.
Ordinarily no person may be allocated more than 10 rods in total within Bishopstoke. However, if a plot holder at Underwood Road wishes to increase their holding, and the waiting list is empty, they will be able to apply for extra plots to a maximum total of 20 rods overall.
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Any holder who has been allocated two physically separated plots of 5 rods will be given first refusal on any plot neighbouring one of their allocations. They will be given the opportunity to relinquish one 5 rod plot in order to have their plots closer together and the plot given up will be allocated to the next on the waiting list.
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Applicants will be given the opportunity to view their plot before taking it on. However, if the plot is refused by the applicant without good reason (to be determined at the discretion of the Clerk) they will be returned to the bottom of the list if they wish to remain an applicant.
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Bishopstoke Parish Council reserves the right to remove an applicant from the list, or to refuse to add an applicant to the list, if it is deemed necessary.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone housing measures for poultry and captive birds in England and Wales have now been lifted (as of 18th April 2023), but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone mandatory biosecurity measures remain in place across GB. Bishopstoke is currently not within any Protection Zone or Captive Bird (Monitoring) Control Zone and so birds are no longer required to remain housed.
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This situation is subject to change and we recommend keeping up-to-date by regularly checking the Parish Council website and the government websites linked to below.
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More information is available on GOV.​UK by clicking here.
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To see an interactive, zoomable version of the map please visit the APHA Interactive Map page.
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For the latest information about restrictions please visit the government's bird flu page.
Allotment agreements, rules and other useful files
Started October 2023 - Allotment Deposit Scheme
Anyone taking on an allotment after 1st October 2023 will need to pay a deposit on the plot. When the plot is surrendered any work required to bring the plot up to the expected standard will be partially paid for from this deposit. Any remaining funds will be refunded to the retiring tenant.
3 - 6 months
3 years
6 - 12 months
closed