An allotment can provide relaxation and exercise and can provide you with a wonderful crop of fresh produce.

Its not just about growing rows of vegetables. Many tenants grow flowers, fruit, herbs and spices to get the most from their allotments and develop their horticultural skills.

There is no better feeling than eating your own home-grown crops. They can be far cheaper and tastier than supermarket produce, not genetically modified and can be grown organically.

Gardening is excellent exercise for people of all ages - some doctors are even prescribing it to improve the health of their patients!

Allotments also provide a great way of socialising with like-minded people, both young and old.

If you would like to know more about allotments in Swindon follow the links below.

News

Starter plots.

We now have a limited number of starter plots available on 3 different sites.  If you are on a wait list for any SBC site you may be eligable for a starter plot.  These plots are around 60 sq metres and are offered for use for one year only so you can try out allotmenteering and gain valuable experience in allotment horticulture. You won't loose your place on the waitlist and when a permanent plot comes up you will still recieve an offer.  If you are interested in having a starter plot or would like more details please contact us.  Plots will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

New sites

The demand for allotments is high and shows no signs of slowing. This is good for the allotments but not so good if you are having to wait.

We are looking for new sites with in the central area of Swindon but  this is no easy task.  The sites we have looked at so far have not been suitable.  We have a set of criteria to use to choose new sites to ensure that the site does not suffer from flooding, the soil quality is reasonable for growing and has not been previously contaminated, the access to the site is good and will not cause any issues to local residents. When we find sites that are suitable we will add them to the list of sites below. Please keep your eyes open for any new information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for an allotment?
2. I live in a parished area can I get an allotment?
3. How long will it take to get an allotment?
4. Where are the plots?
5. What size are the plots?
6. How much will it cost?
7. When do I have to pay for my allotment?
8. How can I pay for my allotment?
9. Can I have more than one allotment?
10. Can I have a joint tenancy on an allotment?
11. What facilities are available on the site?
12. Do the allotments have a site rep?
13. Have you any helpful hints for new tenants?
14. Is there an allotment association I can join?
15. Can I put a shed or greenhouse on my plot?
16. I have lost my key where can I get a replacement?
17. Do you have any allotment rules?
18. I do not want my plot any more what do I do?
19. What if a plot is overgrown?

How do I apply for an allotment?

To apply for an allotment please fill in the online form or collect an application form from customer services at Wat Tyler House

I live in a parished area can I get an allotment?

If you live within a parish council area you should contact the relevent Parish Clerk for details of local allotments. Swindon Borough Council no longer accepts applications from residents of parished areas

See Parish Council contact details.

How long will it take to get an allotment?

In most areas there is now a high demand for allotment plots and in some cases there may be a long wait for a plot. But it is well worth the wait to grow your own.The average waitime across the Borough is 1-2 years.  If your nearest site is full you can apply for another site that may have less of a waitlist or may have plots available.  Check the locations list and apply for the site you are interested in. You may apply for more than one plot on up to three sites

We cannot give waiting time or position on the wait lists. If you are on a waiting list please be patient and we will inform you when a plot becomes available.

Where are the plots?

Swindon Borough Council has more than 1,200 plots of varying size and shape on 26 sites, so there should be one in easy reach of everybody.

This table will show if there are any plots available in your area.  If there are no vacancies please apply to go on the waiting list for the site you are interested in. You may add your name to a maximum of 3 sites.  If the list is closed, we are sorry but we can not add anyone else at present.

We have added new plots to the list. Crowdies Hill will be available in Spring 2010.  Please complete an online form to add your name to the waitlist. We will give priority to people who do not already have a plot.

Site	Location	Total plots on site	Available plots
Akers Way	Top of Wood Hall Park	30	List is now closed.
Allington Road	Penhill, off Downton Road	4	vacancies
Bisley Close	Off Helston Road, by New College	11	No vacancies
Blagrove	End of Industrial Estate	30	List now closed
Broome	Pipers Way	33	List now closed
Broome Extension	Near golf course entrance	14	List now closed
Burghley Close	Walcot East, off Frobisher Drive	23	No vacancies
Cheney Manor	Kiln Lane, off Cheney Manor Road	71	No vacancies
Churchward Avenue	Northern Road	29	No vacancies
Cranmore Avenue	Park South	38	No vacancies
Crowdys Hill	Wheeler Avenue	25	vacancies
Dawlish Road	Park South, off Shaftesbury Avenue	21	No vacancies
Glenwood Close	Off Croft Road	87	No vacancies
Gorse Hill	Wheeler Ave.	84	No vacancies
Greywethers	Lawn, off Sandown Ave.	11	List now closed
Hatton Grove	Walcot East, off Walsingham Road	13	No vacancies
Monkton Close	By garages of Monkton Close	21	No vacancies
Parklands	Old Walcot, off Upham Road	10	List now closed
Pickards Field	Off Pinehurst Road	193	No vacancies
Redcliffe Street	Rodbourne	77	List now closed
Rodbourne Farm	Barnfield Close, off Great Western Way	21	List now closed
Rushey Platt	Off Wootton Bassett Road	59	List now closed
Shrivenham Road	Off Ocotal Way	112	List now closed
Somerford Close	Penhill, off Penhill Drive	8	No vacancies
Ventnor Close	Moredon, off The Street	41	No vacancies
Westcott Rec	Turner Street, off Westcott Place	62	No vacancies

What size are the plots?

There are two plot sizes available on Swindon Borough Council allotment sites:

• Full plots - approximately 250 square metres
• Half plots - approximately 125 square metres

How much will it cost?

Allotment Price List for the season 1st October 2009 to 31st September 2010

Why not apply for a Swindon Card to get a discount.  Ask at Customer Services for how to apply.

Plot prices are updated yearly and normaly increase by around 3%.

Prices and approximate sizes of plots

	Full Plot (250 sq m)	Half Plot (125 sq m)
Full Price	£39.00	£19.50
Swindon Card	£30.50	£15.25
Concession 1	£15.25	£7.75
Concession 2	£9.00	£4.75

When do I have to pay for my allotment?

Bills for allotments come out once a year on or around 1st October.(if you have taken on an allotment between 1st October and 31st March you will be billed in April, for the coming growing season, then you will be billed in line with other tenants each October.)

How can I pay for my allotment?

To Pay, you can either :

Drop in at Customer Services, situated on the ground floor of Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street

or

Pay Online - You may pay online for allotments using Swindon Borough Council's secure Online System

Pay Online Here

Can I have more than one allotment?

You may apply to have more than one allotment.  We will add your name to the waitlist for an additional plot.  You can also specify which plot you would like to have.

Please be aware that we will always give priority to people on the waitlist who DO NOT already have a plot.

Can I have a joint tenancy on an allotment?

You can work your allotment with family or friends and share the produce. If you would like to formalise this arrangement we can add a second tenant to the database.  This is not a legal agreement but it means that should the registered tenant ever give up the plot it may be possible, waitlist permitting, to pass the plot on to the second tenant.

You should be aware that the terms and conditions of tenancy does not allow 'subletting' by which we mean that no part of the allotment should be let by the tenant to someone else

What facilities are available on the site?

Facilities on allotment sites are basic but useful. Most sites now have a water supply via troughs for use by all tenants on site.  Some sites have a communal area for site events and seed swaps. Some sites organise deliveries of manure, compost, leaf mould and barkchips. Check with the site rep for details

Do the allotments have a site rep?

Most of the Swindon Borough allotments sites now have a site rep.  The notice board will have details of who the site rep is and which plot to find them on.  The site rep will be able to give you details of what goes on at the site and help advise you on any queries you may have.

Have you any helpful hints for new tenants?

You can access this downloadable pdf of helpful hints. It has all the basic information you may need for your new allotment.

Is there an allotment association I can join?

There is a local RHS affiliated association, Swindon Allotment and Leisure Gardens Association (SALGA). SALGA have regular meetingsorganise days out to gardens and have a shop on Pickards Field allotment selling seeds and garden sundries. Contact the membership secretary Mr R Baker on 01793 481190.  There is also the National Society of Allotment Gardeners (NSALG) who provide all the information you could need about allotments from tips on growing to legal advice. Their website is the best place to start www.nsalg.org.uk.  There are many good sites on the web with information and experiences to help you.

Can I put a shed or greenhouse on my plot?

To put a shed or greenhouse on your plot you must ask for permission from the council. You may apply in writing by letter or email. We will write to you with a permission letter giving details of the size and construction of shed that is acceptable.

I have lost my key where can I get a replacement?

Keys are available from Customer Services at Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street.

On some sites that have the new style lock, a replacement key will cost £10

Do you have any allotment rules?

You can download a pdf of the terms and conditions.

I do not want my plot any more what. do I do?

The tenancy of an allotment is a legal contract so you must let us know in writing if you wish to give up your allotment. You can send us a letter, email or use a form from Customer Services or using this online form.

People give up for all sorts of reasons. If you don't have the time to run your allotment now let us know as we can add your name to the list for a plot in the future when you may have more time

What if a plot is overgrown?

Due to the nature of allotment gardening it is quite often the case that an overgrown plot has a sitting tenant, so this is not an indication that the allotment plot is available

We have an inspection regime to make sure that plots that have been left uncultivated are picked up on. These plots will be re-offered, once due procedures have been followed.

If you have concerns about an uncultivated plot do speak to the site rep.

Further Information

If you have any other questions that you have not found the answer to here please contact us.

Please telephone 01793 445501 or e-mail us at allotmentenquiry@swindon.gov.uk.