Frequently Asked Questions

Here's the list of our allotment sites. The majority of the allotment sites are managed by allotment associations. These local committee structures help to manage local issues, such as security.

• Watt Close, Bromsgrove (behind Sanders Park) Stourbridge Road,
• Bromsgrove (next to the Princess of Wales Hospital) Newton Road,
• Aston Fields, Bromsgrove Stoke Road, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove
• Roundhill, Lickey End, Bromsgrove (Located off Staple Flats)
• Stoneybridge, Fairfields, (Located off Madeley Road) Pool Furlong,
• Clent. Rigby Lane Allotments, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove

A map of locations can be found here

October bill period –

On the 01 October invoices are issued, and all tenants need to ensure these are paid within 28 days from the date of the invoice (29 October), if payment is not made within this period, you will as per the tenancy agreement be terminated from the plot. The plot is then re-let.

If an invoice is not received within a week and you have checked your inbox and junk folder for e-mails and you have ensured none of your contact information has changed. You need to contact our income team to get a further invoice to ensure this is paid in a timely manner.

We also recommend setting up a Direct Debit with our income team in order that payments are made automatically within the correct timeframe and an invoice is issued for your information to give peace of mind.

Here are the current prices and payment options.

On 1 October each year, invoices are issued to all allotment tenants.

Payments must be made within 28 days of the invoice date (by 29 October). If payment is not made within this period, your tenancy will be terminated in line with the tenancy agreement, and the plot will be re‑let.

If you do not receive your invoice within a week, and you have checked your inbox and junk folder (or your postal mail if you do not have an email address) and ensured your contact details are up to date, please contact our Income Team to request a duplicate invoice so that payment can be made on time.

We recommend setting up a Direct Debit with the Income Team. This ensures your invoice is issued as normal, but payment is made automatically within the required timeframe, providing peace of mind.

Is there a deposit for an allotment plot?

Yes. A £100 deposit is payable when you accept a plot.

How do I pay the deposit?

The council will email you an invoice. Please check your inbox and junk folder for this email. The deposit must be paid promptly upon accepting the plot.

Why is there a deposit?

The deposit acts as a safeguard and encourages tenants to return plots in a clear and tidy condition, ready for the next person. It helps protect council-managed assets while promoting accountability from the start.

Is the deposit refundable?

Yes. The deposit will be refunded when your tenancy ends, provided the plot is left in accordance with the tenancy agreement.

No. The deposit is held in a secure holding account and does not generate interest or income for the council.

Where can I find more details?

Please refer to the Allotment Tenancy Agreement for full terms and conditions.

What if I can’t afford the initial deposit, can there be a payment plan?

Yes, in some cases, we can offer a payment plan for those who are unable to pay the full initial deposit upfront. This allows you to spread the cost over the year. Please note that the full deposit must be paid within the first year.

When are the payments taken?

Payments are taken automatically on the same date each month. You’ll receive confirmation of the date when you join the plan.

Can I pay off my deposit balance early?

Yes. You can clear your remaining balance at any time with no extra fees.

Question

I have taken on an additional plot next to my existing plot. Why am I paying rent and water charges for both plots separately?

Answer

Allotment plots are managed and charged on a per-plot basis, not per tenant. If you take on an additional plot, you will be responsible for the rent, water charges (where applicable), and any other fees associated with each individual plot.  For example, if you hold two small plots, you will be charged for two small plots. This is the same arrangement that would apply if the plots were occupied by two different tenants.

Question

Can two adjoining plots be merged into one plot?

Answer

No. Once a plot has been formally divided and established as separate plots within the allotment site layout, it will remain as separate plots for tenancy, administration and charging purposes, even where the same tenant occupies both plots.

No. We do not clear plots before letting them. Some of them might be overgrown when we re-let them. Some plots are handed back to the Council in good condition, but this is a rarity. You are taking plots on as they are so we recommend taking a good look before accepting to ensure you can carry out the level of work required in line with the tenancy agreement.

Generally, no, you are taking the plots on as they are, so you are responsible for disposing of those items off site in the appropriate manner.

Practically any variety of fruit and vegetables and some flowers (i.e. wildflower for bees, butterflies, insects, etc.). These must be for your own use, the sale of produce grown on our allotment plots is not permitted. You can also view on our website a monthly planner to give you an idea of what can be grown each month and work required on the plot.

Restrictions apply to fruit trees/bushes which must be of a dwarfing rootstock. You can only plant SIX (6) dwarf fruit tree or bushes ensuring they are categorised as M26 (or other dwarfing) rootstocks and not MM106 or M25’s. Any planted must be planted at least 2m from the plot boundary and continually maintained. Also, as per the tenancy agreement they will also need to be removed from site should you give the plot up.

Honey produced from the bee's is treated the same as fruit and veg at the site, so should only be done for personal use and not business. Genuine surplus can be sold on provided the profits are invested back into the allotment plot/s and not for personal profit.

Your best source of advice is the experienced gardeners and Association members on site; they know the soil and what grows well locally.

There are many books and websites with advice and information also we recently put a monthly planner with guidance on our website to assist new and existing tenants on this topic and to show the level of work required on a plot not just in the nicer weather but throughout the whole year.

• The allotment site name
• The location on the site (plot number or nearest landmark where possible)
• Photographs or other evidence of activity
• Details of what you have observed (for example, sett entrances, tracks, latrines, paths or digging activity)

This information will help the Council assess the situation and determine whether any action or specialist advice is required.

Why is it important to report badgers?

Badgers and their setts are protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Early notification helps ensure that allotment management, maintenance works and plot activities can be carried out appropriately and in accordance with wildlife legislation

What should I do if I find a badger sett?

Please do not disturb the sett or attempt to block, damage or alter it in any way.

Badger setts are legally protected, and it is an offence to intentionally damage, destroy, obstruct or interfere with a sett, or to disturb badgers occupying one.

How can I tell if badgers are visiting the site?

Signs of badger activity can include:

• D-shaped sett entrances with freshly excavated soil
• Small digging holes ("snuffle holes")
• Well-used paths through vegetation
• Latrine pits
• Five-toed footprints
• Badger hairs caught on fences or vegetation

If you notice any of these signs, please report them to the Council

Badgers are damaging my crops. What can I do?

Badgers are protected animals and must not be harmed, trapped or relocated. However, there are a number of measures plot holders can consider helping protect crops and reduce damage, including:

• Covering vulnerable beds with strong wire mesh or chicken wire
• Keeping plots tidy and removing food sources where possible
• Using motion-activated lighting
• Protecting sweetcorn, fruit and other attractive crops with appropriate barriers
• Maintaining plots to reduce insect larvae and grubs that may attract foraging badgers

Any deterrent methods used must be lawful, humane and must not harm badgers or interfere with a sett. 

Can the Council remove badgers from the site?

In most circumstances, badgers cannot be removed simply because they are present or causing nuisance.

As protected animals, any actions affecting badgers or their setts are subject to wildlife legislation and may require specialist advice and licensing. 

Are badgers beneficial?

Yes. Badgers form part of the natural environment and can contribute to a healthy ecosystem by helping to control some pests and aerating soil through their digging activities. While they can occasionally cause damage to plots, the Council encourages allotment holders to coexist with wildlife wherever possible.

Those who wish to keep Bee's must provide the following documents to us and await permission from the Council/Association before proceeding and follow the guidelines provided.

• Evidence (including screenshot) of current membership of either the British Beekeepers Association or Bee Farmers Association in order to prove evidence of third-party liability insurance.
• Evidence (including screenshot) that the hives/site has been registered with Defra’s National Bee Unit and are made available for inspection to prevent outbreaks of disease.
• The beehive site is provided with suitable all-round screening of at least 1.9m height in order to ensure that hive entrance is screened and the flight path of bees going to & from the hives is above head height across neighbouring plots so that the bees do not become a nuisance or hazard to other allotment users.
• The site and your plot number.
• If we approve you would need to first build the bees screening at the site and provide an image of this and await confirmation, we are happy with this or we may attend site to confirm before bringing bee and equipment to site.
• Honey produced from the bee's is treated the same as fruit and veg at the site, so should only be done for personal use and not business. Genuine surplus can be sold on provided the profits are invested back into the allotment plot/s and not for personal profit.

We allow hens but not cockerels/roosters and a maximum of 12 hens are allowed.

You need to ensure the coop and run remains within your plot boundary and you are responsible for ensuring it is erected/constructed safely. This is also classed as one of your structures.

Please ensure when erecting/constructing the coop and run, you consider where you position this to ensure you do not affect lighting to neighbouring plots and is not up against a perimeter fence/hedge. It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure that any structures erected on your plot are safe and made of appropriate materials.  Tenants should not build structures with permanent foundations.

You will need to ensure you regularly attend to the hens and follow guidance given on Defra, RSPCA and also government guidelines with regards to Avian Flu i.e. the hens will need to remain at all times in a secure pen and is not allowed to roam free on the plot/site. Tenants that have chickens need to ensure they are regularly cleaning their bedding and pen area to assist with keeping the animals healthy and stop rodents being attracted more to the area if there is loose feed around. All chicken feed needs to be put in a secure container if tenants need to leave a small amount on their plot.

When a tenancy ends it is the responsibility of the tenant to remove the structure in its entirety, including any foundations and removal of hens. 

Are ponds allowed on allotments?

Yes, a pond is permitted during your tenancy if they are constructed safely and in line with the guidelines outlined in the Tenancy Agreement.

What happens to ponds when I end my tenancy?

Ponds must be removed responsibly before you leave your plot. They should not be burned or disposed of unsafely.

What if removing the pond is impractical?

If removal is difficult, please contact the Council to discuss options. Ideally, do this in advance if you plan to give up your plot the following year.

What about wildlife in ponds?

We ask tenants to plan ahead. For example, if you intend to give up your plot next year and amphibians are present, remove the pond once they have left. If protected species such as great crested newts are present, provide evidence, and the Council will consider options proportionately.

Why does the Council have these rules?

Clause 7.10 of the tenancy agreement ensures plots are returned in a safe, manageable condition. While ponds can benefit wildlife, they may pose safety risks particularly for children and may not suit all incoming tenants.

Where can I find more details on what pond is allowed?

Guidelines, including permitted pond dimensions, are available in the Tenancy Agreement. (Subject to final tenancy agreement).

Can associations have larger ponds on community areas?

Yes. While individual tenant plots have strict limits on pond size, associations may have slightly larger ponds if the pond is in a shared community area and fully managed and maintained by the association.

What information do we need to provide for a community pond to be approved?

Associations must submit the following:

• Current photographs of the pond (if the pond is already on site and has not previously been approved by the Council).
• Accurate dimensions (length, width, depth).
• A suitable water risk assessment.
• Confirmation that the pond is constructed from appropriate and safe materials.
• Evidence of active management and ongoing maintenance.
• Images of the pond during construction and upon completion.

This information helps ensure that the pond is safe, properly constructed, and compliant with site rules.

What happens if the pond is not being maintained or was not approved by the Council?

If a community pond is:

• not maintained, or
• never approved by the Council, the association/community would be required to complete remedial work as outlined above or remove the pond within the three-year timeframe as per the tenancy agreement.

Do we need to explain why the pond is there?

Yes. When submitting your information, please also include the purpose of the pond. The pond’s purpose must still align with the primary function of an allotment site, such as supporting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, or community education.

What happens after we submit the required information?

Once all the information has been received, the Council will assess it and confirm the position on whether the pond can remain, requires changes, or needs to be removed.

Yes, you may have water butts and other water‑harvesting containers on your plot, subject to the conditions below.

General requirements for Water harvesting systems including IBCs and larger containers (up to 1200 litres)

• Water butts and other containers must not be sunk into the ground.
• Use of hoses or sprinklers is not permitted, except when required to fill water butts.
• All water butts and water receptacles must be kept securely covered (Clause 7.2).
• Tenants must not siphon water from any adjoining watercourses (Clause 7.3).
• Water provided on site must only be used to irrigate your allotment plot (Clause 7.4).
• The Council supports sustainable water harvesting practices. Tenants are expected to maximise rainwater collection using appropriate systems such as water butts and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs). These must meet the following requirements:
• Containers must only be used for rainwater harvesting and must not be filled via hosepipes (Clause 7.5).
• The quantity and size of containers must be reasonable and proportionate to the size of the plot (Clause 7.6.1).
• All containers must be positioned within the designated quarter‑structure area (Clause 7.6.2).
• Containers must not be sunk into the ground (Clause 7.6.3).

For the avoidance of doubt, any water butts which do not fall within the criteria set out above may require an application for planning
permission.

Yes, allotments do require a regular commitment of time and effort throughout the year. They need ongoing maintenance such as weeding, planting, watering and general upkeep to keep them productive and tidy.

If a plot is not being actively worked or maintained, you may risk receiving a breach of tenancy notice leading to termination of the plot and it being reallocated to someone on the waiting list. However, with consistent attention, an allotment can be an enjoyable and rewarding space to grow your own produce and spend time outdoors.

Information about putting up sheds, greenhouses, poly tunnels and other structures can be found here

We encourage tenants to bring children to site with them but please remember that other tenants may wish to have some quiet time working their plot so be mindful and ensure they remain on the plot with you at all times. 

Do remember these are allotment plots and not private gardens, teach them to grow produce on allotments and show them the fun they can have whilst doing so. Don't bring play equipment such as swings, slides, trampolines, goals, pools etc. keep these for your own private garden. 

If you wish to help entertain and educate them on growing whilst you are working the plot do get them involved.

The National Allotment Society (NAS) website has some wonderful suggestions on what you could do with them on the plot 

Read their blog today on tips of how to create the perfect allotment for your child. Growing & tasting home-grown food is a great way to develop skills!

All tenants are encouraged to collect their own rainwater.  It is also compulsory to do so if a tenant has a shed or a greenhouse on their plot. Although, some of our sites have water standpipes not all do. Rainwater harvesting is always better for the environment and crops.

On sites where water is available, the supply is turned off in early October each year, or when we experience the first frost, whichever happens sooner. This is to prevent burst pipes and damage over winter.

The water is then turned back on in early April, depending on weather conditions.

The Council or the Formal Association is responsible for managing the water supply. Tenants must not turn the water back on themselves.

Doing so is a breach of the tenancy agreement and may result in the tenancy being terminated. The tenant will also be liable for any costs incurred to repair damage caused by reopening the supply without permission.

Please note that bonfires on allotments are only permitted between 1st October and 31st March

Outside these times, fires are not permitted. They are subject to the following restrictions:

• Are solely for disposing of dry vegetation resulting solely from your plot.
• Do not cause a nuisance or annoyance to any neighbouring plots or properties.
• Is at least 10 metres from any hedge or fence and is fully extinguished before leaving your plot.

Failure to comply with this will be a breach of your tenancy and may result in you losing your plot.

Where fires cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties and roads or waste is burned that has come from outside your plot, these are also prosecutable offences under the Environmental Health Act 1990 and may be referred to Worcestershire Regulatory Services for prosecution.

No. The Council does not deliver materials to allotment sites. This is due to limited space for bulk deliveries and because tenants are responsible for organising and managing any materials brought onto the site.

• Tenants should only order materials in quantities suitable for their own plot, and these must be placed either directly on their plot or in a designated communal bay. Communal bays must be managed and maintained collectively by all tenants.
• You may find it helpful to speak with other tenants, as they may have contacts for suppliers who can assist.

If you move to a new address within the District of Bromsgrove, you must notify the Council or the relevant Association in writing or by email of any change to your contact information, including your new address.

If you move outside the District of Bromsgrove, the Tenancy Agreement states that you are required to give up your allotment tenancy within 12 months of moving (Clause 1.5). You must still notify the Council or relevant Association in writing or by email of your change of address.

Our contact email address and telephone number can be found here

We had an asbestos report carried out at all sites and already dealt with any issues at the time so there should be none at any site now.  If tenants have brought it themselves to site recently, they would need to dispose of as themselves responsibly as this is not permitted. All such health and safety issues should be forwarded to the council before the lease has been signed.

A copy of your invoice can be arranged. please contact our income team, here are their details

The Council cannot guarantee security at any allotment site. For this reason, tenants are strongly advised not to leave tools, equipment, or valuables on their plots and to take them home after use.

Some allotment sites choose to join the National Allotment Society (NAS), which offers insurance options funded by members. This may provide cover for losses such as stolen tools or damaged crops and can be discussed with your site association, where applicable, you may wish to enquire directly with them to discuss.

Tenants are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow good security practices, including:

• Taking all tools and valuables home.
• Keeping gates locked.
• Not sharing gate codes.
• Not allowing access to unauthorised individuals or vehicles.

No. Security cameras are not permitted on our allotment sites.

Personal cameras can easily breach data protection rules (including GDPR) if they capture anything beyond your own plot—such as neighbouring plots, shared paths, or communal areas. This can compromise the privacy of other tenants.

Allotments are also intended to be peaceful and private spaces, and the presence of cameras can make others feel uncomfortable.

For these reasons, tenants are not allowed to install any form of security camera on their plots.