Ashford & District Smallholders

Question: How much does it cost to rent a plot?

• Answer: Your rent will depend on the area of your plot, and whether it has a shed or greenhouse – and all our plots are different. A typical full-size plot (250 sq m) currently costs about £40 per calendar year, with smaller plots in the £30 to £40 range. You also have to pay £55 deposit when you first join the society, which will be refunded when you leave, provided you return your gate key and your plot is in a relettable state.

Question: Does the society have third-party public liability insurance?

• Answer: Yes. The society has £5 million third-party public liability insurance cover through Chris Knott Insurance. Members also have personal liability cover as a benefit of the society’s affiliation to the National Allotment Society (NSALG).

Question: Does the society provide insurance for members’ property left on site?

• Answer: No. We strongly advise you NOT to leave valuable items on site, especially power tools and equipment. The site is unguarded, and (like most allotment sites) we have suffered a number of break-ins and thefts over the years. The society accepts no responsibility for items brought onto the site, which are strictly at the owner’s risk.

Question: How can I obtain more information, or rent an allotment plot?

• Answer: Contact us using our online enquiry form.

Question: Where can I find the society’s rules?

• Answer: Downloadable copies of the society's current rules and policies may be found on the what we expect page of this website. Your membership card sets out the society’s basic rules, and you will find further rules on your registration form. The society also has a health & safety policy, bonfire policy and animal welfare policy. Please read and comply with these rules and policies, which are for the wellbeing and safety of everyone on site, and to maintain good neighbourly relations.
  

Question: May I put up a shed or greenhouse?

• Answer: Yes – provided you first obtain permission from the committee. Amongst other requirements, your shed or greenhouse must be not more than 8’x6′ in plan and not more than 7’6″ high. You are only allowed one shed per member, also one greenhouse or polytunnel per plot. You must also obtain permission if you wish to replace or modify a shed or greenhouse, or construct a polytunnel, shelter or similar structure, or a fence. Fences around plots are not normally permitted.

Question: Where can I leave rubbish?

• Answer: We have no disposal facilities on site for rubbish or recycling. Rubbish is costly and time-consuming for the society to dispose of, so please take away all non-compostable rubbish, especially broken glass and hazardous waste, and dispose of it responsibly at home or at the council tip. Please don’t bring rubbish or recycling to the site, and please don’t leave rubbish lying around for others to clear up. You may be dismissed from the society if you do so.

Question: May I light a bonfire?

• Answer: You must comply with the society's bonfire policy. Bonfires are permitted between 1st October and 1st April only, on condition that they do not cause a nuisance to nearby plot-holders or residents. You will be held personally responsible for any nuisance caused and complaints received.

Question: May I bring my dog onto the site?

• Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the site, but must be kept on a lead at all times, and must not be allowed to stray onto other members’ plots. Please pick up and take away any dog mess.

Question: May I bring my car onto the site?

• Answer: Yes. We have car parks at the upper and lower ends on the site. Please be careful when driving on site, and observe the 5 mph speed limit. Please also be considerate when parking. Cars are brought onto the site at the owner’s risk.

Question: Do your members grow organically?

• Answer: Many of our members grow organically, but we are not an organic site, and we don’t have an area devoted to organic growing. We allow members to decide for themselves how they wish to grow their crops. Most of us keep the use of chemicals, weedkillers and pesticides to a minimum, but we can give no assurances about how your plot was cultivated in the past.

Question: Is there a water supply on site?

• Answer: There is no mains water on site, but we do have about 40 manually-operated water pumps, which are available for use by all members. Some of these pumps have connectors suitable for petrol-driven pumps. The water comes from boreholes in the ground, so should only be used for watering plants. It should not be used as drinking water unless boiled or sterilised first.

Question: Is there mains electricity on site?

• Answer: No. Petrol-driven or battery-powered tools and equipment should be used instead.

Question: Is there a shop on site?

• Answer: Yes. We have an on-site, members-only shop, which sells gardening essentials such as composts, bamboo canes and fertilisers. We do not sell plants or produce. The shop is normally open on Sunday mornings between 11am and 12 noon.

Question: Can I buy plants and seeds from the shop?

• Answer: No. But society members can buy seeds, fruit trees, bushes and other sundry items from the Kings Seeds/ National Allotment Society catalogue at significantly discounted prices.