Rules and regulations

These rules are based on the terms of the lease agreement between Gedling Borough Council and Leapool Allotments Association (LAA).

1. Rules relating to renting an allotment

1. Rent is due by 30th September each year.
2. No part of an allotment garden may be sub-let.
3. Allotments may not be used for trade purposes of any kind, (with the exception of the gardening supplies sold by the “Trading Post”).
4. Gardens must be worked by the named tenant, his/her family and persons nominated as Associate members only, in accordance with our Constitution. Should it be necessary for a non-member to enter the site, for example, to water a garden while the member is on holiday, they will enter the site using the member’s key. The member will be responsible for ensuring this nominated person knows and agrees to abide by these rules.
5. Council Officers and Committee members must be given access at reasonable times to inspect the site.

2. Rules relating to plot management and cultivation

1. Gardens are for the cultivation of flowers, fruit and vegetables only, although rabbits and hens (not cockerels), are allowed under Section 12 of the Allotment Act 1950. Tenants wishing to keep hens must have a minimum of two but no more than five birds. The keeping of bees in up to two hives per plot is also allowed by properly accredited members. No other livestock is permitted. Prior permission must be sought from the Committee before any livestock is introduced to an allotment.
2. At least 66% of the plot must be under cultivation. This includes areas where crops, flowers, fruit trees and bushes are growing, areas which have been dug/rotavated/mulched in preparation for the planting of crops and areas where seeds have been sown. Areas of the plot used for lawns, sheds, patios, parking areas and ponds are not classed as under cultivation.
3. Only paving slabs, grass and wood chippings may be used in the construction of paths, patios and car parking areas.
4. Salvaged car tyres and hazardous materials such as asbestos may not be brought onto the allotments for any purpose.
5. The use of carpet as light excluding or weed suppressant fabric is not allowed.
6. Plots should be kept as free of weeds as is reasonably practicable.
7. Particular attention must be paid to the control of perennial weeds such as creeping buttercup, ground elder, dock and bindweed, which should not be allowed to spread onto neighbouring plots.
8. Weeds, both annual and perennial, should not be allowed to seed as far as is reasonably practicable.
9. Due care and attention should be paid to rules relating to Health and Safety and Welfare on individual plots.
10. Trees belonging to the Council, such as those within the boundary hedge, may not be cut down without prior permission from the Council. Plants within the boundary hedge may, however, be pruned or clipped as necessary to keep them in good order.
11. Top soil, sand or clay may not be removed from the allotments apart from, for example, the small amounts that adhere to the roots of plants and vegetables when they are removed.
12. Members must not make adjustments or repairs to taps or turn the water supply on or off other than in an emergency. In the event of such an emergency, the circumstances must be reported to the Committee without delay.

3. Rules relating to the conduct of members

1. Members must not cause nuisance and annoyance to other tenants and neighbours, for example by causing excessive noise or blocking access to neighbouring plots.
2. Well behaved dogs may be brought to the allotments but must be under the control of owners at all times.
3. Children on the allotments must be properly supervised by an adult and must not be allowed to cause nuisance to other tenants.
4. Members must refrain from causing distress to other members through their words or actions.

4. Rules relating to buildings and other structures

1. Greenhouses, sheds and other structures including polytunnels or fruit cages must not be erected without the prior approval of the Committee. Temporary structures, such as those made using canes and netting, and structures less than 1.5 m in height, may be erected, but care must be taken to ensure they do not block light from or otherwise interfere with neighbouring plots.
2. All buildings, fences and structures on a plot are the responsibility of the plot holder and should be properly maintained to ensure they do not become dangerous.
3. When a tenant vacates an allotment with a shed, greenhouse or other structure in situ, that they have not otherwise disposed of, they will have 2 weeks (or other such time at the discretion of the Committee) from the date of notification, to either remove the said structures from the allotment site, or pass the buildings to the next tenant of the plot. It is permissible for the tenant leaving the plot to negotiate a reasonable price for these structures, commensurate with their age and condition, with the incoming plot holder.

5. Rules relating to Health and Safety

1. The exterior gates must be locked shut after entering or leaving the site.
2. Visitors to the allotments who do not have a key may only be admitted to the site by the person they have come to see. The only exception to this is non-members, such as those from Gedling Grove Allotments, visiting the site in order to access the Trading Post during normal opening hours.
3. Drivers on the site must adhere to the speed limit of 5 mph.
4. All members of the LAA have a duty of care towards anyone entering our site. Plot holders should try to ensure their garden is maintained in a safe condition. This includes:
   1. Fences, paths and buildings not to be allowed to become dilapidated or dangerous,
   2. Rubbish to be disposed of properly,
   3. Asbestos must not be brought onto plots and, if it is found on a plot, it should be reported to the Committee so that it can be noted and, if necessary, its safe removal can be arranged.
   4. Glass may only be used on site in conjunction with greenhouses, windows in sheds and cold frames. Its use for any other purpose (such as fencing or any structure) that poses a danger to persons on the site is not allowed,
   5. Tools should be stored safely, and not left lying around where they might cause injury,
   6. Chemicals such as weed killer, insecticide, fertilizer should be stored securely in a properly labelled container in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Petrol for use in equipment such as strimmers and lawn mowers must be stored in a container specifically manufactured for that purpose,
   7. Water in barrels, ponds or other large containers must not present a danger to anyone entering the site. Consideration should be given as to whether water at ground level, such as in a large pond or sunken barrel, needs to be protected to avoid the possibility of someone (particularly a child) falling into it and drowning.

6. Rules relating to bonfires

1. Bonfires may be lit in winter (between 28th October and 28th March) on any day between 10am and 2pm. In summer (between 29th March and 27th October) bonfires may be lit on weekdays only (Monday to Friday) between 10am and 2pm.
2. Bonfires are not allowed on Bank Holidays.
3. Smoke nuisance must not be caused to people working on their gardens or to residents in the vicinity of the site.
4. Wind direction must be considered before lighting a bonfire. Fires are only allowed when the wind direction is towards the fields on the west of the site, i.e. not towards Mansfield Road.
5. To comply with our Site Insurance, the following must be observed:
   1. Fires to be in a cleared area at least 10 metres from any property,
   2. Fires must not be left unattended at any time,
   3. A suitable fire extinguishing appliance or a bucket of water to be available for immediate use,
   4. Fires must be extinguished at least one hour prior to leaving the site.

In accordance with our constitution (item 4.7), breaches of these rules may result in a warning letter or termination of your membership of the Leapool Allotment Association and garden lease.

(Copies of the Constitution are available on request.  A key copy is also kept in the Trading Post for reference).

These rules were agreed by a meeting of the Committee on 21 June 2022 and amended at meetings of the Committee on 19 July 2022, 28 November 2022 and 30 November 2023.