Allotments

Information about allotments, how to add your name to the allotment waiting list and the annual charges.

Apply for an Allotment

Before applying for an allotment please view our map of allotment sites.

If you would like to apply for a Council Managed site please complete our online application form.

If your local allotment site is managed by an Association or Parish Council, you will be required to contact the relevant individual/organisation directly.

Allotment gardening in Solihull

There are 15 allotment sites in the Borough owned and maintained by Solihull Borough Council.  Five of these sites are managed by allotment associations, who can be contacted via the connect centre on 0121 704 8000.  Due to a rise in the popularity of allotment gardening over the past few years we now have waiting lists for all allotment garden sites in Solihull.

If you complete our online form or contact the connect centre on 0121 704 8000 your name will be added to our waiting list and we will be in touch with you when a plot becomes available.  You can put your name on a maximum of two waiting lists, once on a list please help us by ensuring that you contact us if your details change.  You will be contacted annually to ensure that you wish to stay on the list.  A copy of the waiting list policy can be found on this page.

Allotments have evolved through a rich and varied history of social and economic change, the most notable being the 2nd World War where the public were encouraged to 'Grow their own Greens' and Dig for Britain'.  The first legislative reforms date back to the Enclosures Act of 1845.  Today we have a statutory requirement to provide allotments for the public.

Healthy Allotment, Healthy Living

Allotment gardening provides a wide range of benefits to communities and the environment.  Apart from providing low cost food, they also provide valuable recreational opportunities involving healthy activity and social contacts.  Allotments are significant to our green spaces and provide habitats for many forms of  wildlife.

Taking on an allotment plot is a lot of hard work, but it can have many advantages, providing fresh home grown vegetables, fruit and flowers for you and your family, free from artificial additives and at a fraction of that you would have expected to pay in a supermarket or greengrocer.

The benefits of owning an allotment are many, some of the examples include: -

Fresh air, open space and exercise

Relaxation at the end of a busy day

Fresh organic produce

Active involvement & socialising

What are Allotment Do’s and DONT'S?

Allotments are a safe haven, as long as you follow some simple rules:-

DO

• Keep the plot cultivated at all times and free from weeds and in a clean and tidy condition, plots will be checked every 2 months during a site inspection
• Keep rubbish to a minimum by composting all green waste 
• Keep all items clear of the paths around your plot 
• Pay your rent on time 
• Keep gates locked on site at all times
• Keep equipment away from access routes and locked up when not in use
• Contact the Allotment officer if you change your address or if you wish to vacate your plot
• Get involved in the allotment forum or working party if you wish
• Enjoy your allotment and the produce you grow
• Ask for advice if you need any and contribute to the Allotments Newsletter
• Contact us if you wish to keep chickens on your plot
• Contact us if you are unsure of the tenancy agreement

DON'T

• Erect sheds or other constructions, outside of conditions set in the tenancy agreement without prior approval
• Light bonfires without following the Council's Code of Practice for bonfires
• Plant trees on allotment sites
• Use your allotment for business or retail purposes
• Bring domestic refuse onto allotment sites
• Leave chemicals in allotment sheds, keep them at home in a safe place
• Make any rubbish bags placed at collection point too heavy
• Waste water
• Leave more than 1/3rd of your plot un cultivated at anytime

Please note that terms within tenancy agreements vary slightly from site to site depending on site management.

Allotment Management

Site Inspections

Site inspections are undertaken every two months at all 10 SMBC managed allotment sites. These inspections have been in place since January 2010 and are undertaken by a Council Officer and a site representative. 

During the site inspections each plot is inspected to ensure the tenancy agreement is being adhered too, In particular that the plot is being 2/3rds cultivated and that the plot is not causing a nuisance to other plot holders. If you have any issues you would like raised during the site inspection please speak to your site representative.

Inspections are undertaken at  the association sites at the request of the site representative

Allotment Working Party & Forum

A representative from each allotment site is invited to be part of the Allotment Working Party which meets quarterly. The group alongside Council Officers discusses any maintenance problems; the annual development work programme, budget spend and site inspections.  The meetings are of great value and have ensured that improvement work has taken place across all sites over the years. If you have any suggestions or issues please discuss these with your site representative so these can be brought to the meeting.

The Allotment Forum was set up in 2000 and is held each year to consider a wide range of issues in relation to the management and development of the allotment service. All allotment tenants are invited to attend and discuss issues with Council Officers and the Cabinet Member for Environment.

Annual allotment charges for 1st April 2013 - 31st March 2014

Allotment Discounts

Allotment rental discounts of 50% are available to tenants who are registered carers, unemployed or 60 years of age or over on the 1 April each year.

Contact Details

For more information on Allotments please contact us on either:

Telephone: 0121 704 8000

Email: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk