K.A.T.A. MEMBERSHIP RULES
Everything you need to know about what you can and cannot do on your plot and on the allotment site. As strange as it may seem, allotments have their own legislation, which dictates how allotments should be used. The DO’S and DON’TS in this document are a plain English interpretation of the legislation. Persistently breaking any of the rules mentioned will result in you being sent notice to terminate your tenancy.
.
DO’S
You must cultivate and keep your plot reasonably free from weeds
You can plant herbs and flowers
If you have fruit bushes/trees etc., you must maintain the area around them
You can bring a dog onto the site as long as it is kept on a lead (maximum extension being 2m) at all times, and when it is not being walked, it must be kept tethered so that it cannot wander onto other people’s plots
You may only use a hosepipe to fill up water butts
Compost and re-cycle as much as possible
You can build a pond as long as it’s built in a way that is not dangerous to people and animals
If there is a shed or greenhouse on your plot, you must maintain it in a serviceable condition
Always ensure that access gates are closed behind you
You must get permission from K.A.T.A. if you wish to erect sheds, greenhouses etc., or if you wish to keep chickens, rabbits or bees on your plot. Odibourne tenants are advised to ensure that sheds and greenhouses are set in from the edge of the path
If you have a shed or greenhouse, you should endeavour to have a water butt to harvest water from the roof
You are responsible for the actions and activities of your family, children, guests and helpers when they are on the allotment site
Ensure that children are supervised at all times when on the allotment site
Ensure that all chemicals are stored correctly and safely
You must pay your rent on or before the due date of 29th September each year
Always inform the Secretary if you change your address or any contact details
Permit any officer or Committee member access to your plot for inspection
If you vacate your plot, you must remove all your belongings within two weeks
Always inform a member of the Committee if you have any problems
Do tell us if you are having a problem which impacts on your ability to maintain your plot. We may be able to help
You are only allowed to use approved weed killers on your allotment
DON’TS
You are not allowed to sublet your plot
You are not allowed to transfer your tenancy
You are not allowed to stay overnight on your plot
You are not allowed to use your plot for any trade or business
You are not allowed to cause a nuisance to other plot holders or neighbouring householders. Nuisance could include bad or abusive language, getting drunk, playing loud music, racist language, or threatening behaviour
You are not allowed to use any form of violence on site, be it physical or verbal
You are not allowed to bring rubbish onto the site
You are not allowed to bring or use carpet on your plot
You are not allowed to block communal pathways (this includes parking cars on the main through track, other than briefly for loading and unloading)
You are not allowed to wash crops or tools in the water troughs
You are not allowed to use a hosepipe or sprinkler to water crops
You are not allowed to interfere, modify or tamper with any communal utilities
Bonfires are NOT ALLOWED in the summer months of May, June, July, August and September
You should avoid having smoky bonfires that cause a nuisance, or leave fires unattended (please refer to Environmental Health guidelines posted on all notice boards)
You, your family, children, guests and helpers are not allowed to go onto other tenant’s plots unless given permission to do so
You are not allowed to take crops or produce from other tenant’s allotments without specific permission. Anyone caught doing so will have their tenancy immediately terminated
You are not allowed to dig up the paths
You are not allowed to put weeds, or any rubbish in the main pathway ruts
You are not allowed to keep cockerels, pigs, sheep, goats or horses on plots
Riverside tenants are not allowed to put rubbish, weeds or grass cuttings on the edge of the riverbank
Riverside tenants are not allowed to build up the riverbank in an attempt to prevent flooding on their plot
You are not allowed to place, tip, throw or dump anything in the river
No fishing in the river is permitted
You are not allowed to start up or use powered equipment before 8am Monday to Saturday or before 10am on a Sunday
.
CULTIVATION REQUIREMENTS
From the start date of your tenancy agreement you have a three-month period in which enforcement for non-cultivation is not applicable. After this time you will receive a letter giving one month’s notice to remedy if satisfactory progress towards at least 75% cultivation of your plot, by the end of your initial 12 months, is not observed.
Good cultivation involves a regular level of work, with the ground, with crops in or prepared ground ready for planting, and a reasonably weed free plot
If you have fruit bushes/trees, then the area around them must be maintained to a high standard and not allowed to get overgrown and covered in weeds
You should not allow your plot to become covered in weeds that spread or seed. If you fail to improve the condition of your plot you will be issued with a one month notice to quit. If you do manage to remedy the plot’s condition by the end of one month, your notice to quit will be cancelled
SOME HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS.
Ponds can encourage wild life, but ensure that they have shallow sloping sides so that children and wildlife are less likely to fall in. A barrier of markers will ensure that a pond overgrown with weeds and algae will be more visible and less hazardous
Tetanus is an illness caused by bacteria present in soil and manure, which can enter the body through the tiniest abrasion, scratch, thorn puncture or cut. Make sure that you have a vaccination that can protect you from the disease.
Chemicals should be kept in clearly marked containers. Do not leave them in milk or lemonade bottles or other food containers or leave them lying around your plot.
Rats can carry Veil’s disease via their urine. Any evidence of rats should be reported
A first aid kit is always a wise addition to the tools kept in your allotment shed
UPDATED OCTOBER 2018
