Allotments

Watton Town Council has two allotments sites. The site at Church Road, adjacent to the cemetery, is owned by Watton Town Council with the Thetford Road site, adjacent to the Tesco store, leased until 2028.

There is a waiting list for allotments and if you wish to apply for your name to be added to the list please contact the Town Council Office with your name, address, telephone number and preference of which site (form can be downloaded from link below).

ALLOTMENT APPLICATION FORM

Please note that as from the 27th of September 2016, along with residents of the town, residents from neighbouring parishes can apply for an allotment in Watton but will only be allocated an allotment if there are no Watton residents waiting – Minute Reference 27.09.2016 item 7. Allotments.

The annual rent for an allotment is currently £22.00 per annum. The rent is subject to annual review and due on or before the 1st October each year. Tenancy agreements normally run from the 1st October in any year.

As of October 1st 2024 allotment yearly rent will increase to £25.00

The tenancy agreement, signed by all allotment holders, sets out the rules for the allotments.

1. The Council shall let the Allotment Garden to the tenant for a term of one year commencing on the first day of October 2024 [and thereafter from year to year] unless determined in accordance with the terms of this tenancy.

2. The tenant shall pay a yearly rent of £ 25.00 whether demanded or not which shall be payable by BAC’s.

3. The tenant shall use the Allotment Garden only for the cultivation of fruit, vegetable and flowers for use and consumption by him/herself and his/her family.

4. The tenant shall not sell or undertake a business in respect of the cultivation and production of fruit, vegetables and flowers in the Allotment Garden.

5. The tenant shall reside within Watton or an adjacent parish during the tenancy.

6. During the tenancy, the tenant shall:
   8. keep the Allotment Garden clean and in a good state of fertility and cultivation (also refer to 8.).
   9. not cause a nuisance or annoyance to the owners or occupiers of land adjoining the Allotment Garden.
   10. Not cause a nuisance or annoyance to other allotment holders.
   11. not keep livestock or poultry in the Allotment Garden without first obtaining the Council’s written consent
   12. not bring to or keep animals in the Allotment Garden without first obtaining the Council’s written consent.
   13. not assign the tenancy nor sub-let or part with the possession of any part of the Allotment Garden.
   14. the tenant shall not erect a shed, greenhouse or other building or structure on the Allotment Garden without first obtaining the Council’s written consent; Agreed at Council on March 14^th, 2023, sheds must not exceed 8’ x 6’ and should only be sited on or adjacent to your allotment plot. Sheds erected prior to March 14^th, 2023, have previously been accepted and can remain.
   15. not fence the Allotment Garden without first obtaining the Council’s written consent.
   16. maintain and keep in repair any fences and gates forming part of the Allotment Garden;
   17. trim and keep in decent order all hedges forming part of the Allotment Garden.
   18. not plant any tree, shrub, hedge or bush without first obtaining the Council’s written permission;
   19. not cut, lop or fell any tree growing on the Allotment Garden without first obtaining the Council’s written consent and if appropriate planning permission;
   20. be responsible for ensuring that any person present in the Allotment Garden with or without the tenant’s permission does not suffer personal injury or damage to his property;
   21. permit an inspection of the Allotment Garden at all reasonable times by the Council’s employees or agents;
   22. not obstruct or permit the obstruction of any of the paths or roads which provide a means of access to and from the Allotment Garden or the Allotment Garden of another tenant. The tenant shall keep the paths or portions of the paths which border their plot in good order and free from weeds.

7. The tenant shall observe additional rules that the Council may make or revise for the regulation and management of the Allotment Garden and other allotment gardens let by the Council. Additional Rules set by Watton Town Council:

• No open fires on site
• No barbed wire on site
• No glass on site
• The tenant shall ensure that the number of the allotment plot is clearly displayed in a prominent position at the front of the allotment
• All sheds must have the associated allotment plot number displayed on the door of the shed
• Entry gates to the allotment site should be kept closed at all times
• Tenants are not permitted access to the allotment site during the hours of darkness
• Materials, pieces of wood etc. shall not be stored on the plot except where intended for use in the construction of sheds, raised beds etc. The tenant may be asked to remove excessive or unsuitable materials
• Tenants are fully responsible for their children and guests while at the allotments and must ensure they cause no nuisance to others
• All rubbish that is not compostable must be disposed offsite
• The Tenant must request written permission from the council to use spray weed killer on their plot.

8. The Council shall pay all rates, taxes, dues or other assessments which may at any time be levied or charged upon the Allotment Garden.

9. The tenancy may be terminated by the Council serving on the tenant not less than twelve months’ written notice to quit expiring on or before the 6th day of April or on or after the 29th day of September in any year.

10. The tenancy may be terminated by the Council by service of one month’s written notice on the tenant if:
    1. the rent is in arrears for 40 days or;
    2. three months after the commencement of the tenancy the tenant has not observed the rules referred to in clauses 7 or 8
    3. the tenant moves away from Watton or an adjacent parish

11. If the tenant shall have been in breach of any of the foregoing clauses or on account of the tenant becoming bankrupt, the Council may re-enter the Allotment Garden and the tenancy shall thereupon terminate but without prejudice to any right of the Council to claim damages for any such breach or to recover any rent already due before the time of such re-entry but remaining unpaid.

12. The termination of the tenancy by the Council in accordance with clause 12 or after re-entry by the Council in pursuance of its statutory rights, shall not prejudice the tenant’s statutory rights to compensation.

13. The tenancy may be terminated by the tenant by serving on the Council not less than two months’ written notice to quit.

14. On the termination of the tenancy, the tenant shall remove any shed, greenhouse or other building or structure erected in the Allotment Garden unless the Council agrees otherwise which shall be confirmed in writing to the tenant. The allotment plot must be completely cleared within 14 days of surrender.

15. Any written notice required by the tenancy shall be sufficiently served if sent by registered post to or left at the parties’ address. Any notice to be served by the tenant shall be addressed to the Council office.

 

The tenant hereby accepts the tenancy agreement as provided and agrees to their details being held by the Council for the purpose of correspondence.