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Water restrictions at allotments
Southern Water has brought in restrictions on water use for the first time since 2005/6, following the second driest 12 months on record. The restrictions, which include the use of hosepipes and sprinklers, came into effect on 05 April for customers in Kent and Sussex who receive their water from Southern Water. The restrictions cover:
- Watering of public parks, gardens and allotments
- Filling swimming pools, paddling pools, ponds and fountains
- Any apparatus connected to a hosepipe
These restrictions mean you can't water your allotment with a hosepipe or fill water containers with a hosepipe and no hosepipes should be attached to any taps on allotment sites.
Under the 2012 drought order, using hosepipes to refill pre positioned water butts is not allowed but Southern Water are able to make allowances on a case by case basis to individuals who are disabled or infirm. If you think you could be exempt from the order, you will have to apply individually to Southern Water on 0845 278 0845.
Any clarifications or objections to the restrictions should be directed to Southern Water and not Hastings Borough Council.
We are looking to Site Secretaries to help explain to allotment holders the implications of the water restrictions and a poster from Southern Water has been placed on every allotment gate explaining that water restrictions are in force.
Visit www.southernwater.co.uk for further information.
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Update January 2012:
The Allotment review consultation started on 09 December 2011 and asked for comments to be returned by 12 January 2012. Many people expressed the view that this didn't give enough time for responses, as Christmas fell within the consultation period. In light of this, we extended the closing date to 31 January 2012.
We have been working with Site Secretaries to consider comments made so far and have incorporated these comments into the original draft rules. We are now in a position to publish a second draft of the proposed rules. This new draft will be available for comment until 17 February 2012.
Download the letter sent to Allotment holders and updated Rules:
Please submit your comments and any questions you may have to:
Murray Davidson, Environment and Natural Resources Manager: Aquila House
e-Mail: mdavidson@hastings.gov.uk
Telephone: 01424 451107
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Why rent an allotment?
Add a new dimension to your leisure time. An allotment can provide fresh fruit and vegetables, a healthy outdoor life and a place to relax.
The Council manages 600 allotment plots spread over 30 acres on twelve sites.
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How do I rent an allotment?
Fill in an application form:
The St Leonards Allotment Association manages the site in Vale Road and the Marina Horticultural and Allotment Association manages the site in Tudor Avenue.
Most allotments are fully tenanted and there will be a wait for all sites but your name can easily be added to the appropriate tenants list. The approximate waiting time now is 1-3 years depending on which site. Allotment plots are offered to waiting tenants who are residents of Hastings and St Leonards only
Many sites have a designated representative to liaise with the Borough Council and attend the Allotment Site Secretary meetings.
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Hastings & St Leonards Allotments Federation
The Federation was formed by a number of Allotment Site Secretaries in August 1998 to act as a lobbying force for all allotment gardeners in the Borough. This group is independent of the Council and meets to discuss improvements, the future of allotments and allotment policy.
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Competitions
Each year the Council awards a cup for 'The Best Kept Allotment Site'.
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How much will it cost me?
Rent for plots in Council management is £2.21 per rod, per year (one rod is 30.25 square yards or 25.29sq metres and 5 rods is 126.46 sq metres), plus an additional 78p per rod, per year for water.
The total rent for the average size plot (five rods) is just £14.95 per year.
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Allotment Sites
In Hastings:
- Lower Cornwallis - Lower Park Road
- Downs Road - Downs Road
- BOS Field - Elphinestone Road
- Collier Road - Collier Road
- Bembrook - Croft Road
- Lower Torfield - Old London Road
- Fernbank - Old London Road
- Paul's Field - Ashburnham Road
- Lower Clive Vale - Off Harold Road
In St Leonards:
- Harley Shute - Harley Shute Road
- Marina - Tudor Avenue (Self Managed Site)
- Choice - Blackman Avenue
- Tivoli - Mildenhall Drive
- Vale Road/Shornden - Vale Road (Private Site)
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Ten helpful hints for new tenants
- If you have no tools, buy only the essentials: spade, fork, hoe, rake, trowel and watering can.
- For your back's sake do not rush clearance and digging. It is best to start in the autumn.
- If a plot is badly weeded over, it is best to skim off the top and then dig it.
- Ensure that you remove the roots of docks, dandelions and couch grass as these will regrow.
- Start a compost heap for vegetable matter.
- Do not start sowing seeds in the open too early, as many are lost in the cold and wet ground.
- You will need to water plants that are being transplanted until they become established.
- Aim for a succession of crops throughout the year and rotate crops in sequence.
- Plant flowers to make the plot more colourful.
- Fellow plot holders can also give lots of advice.
