Skip navigation
Allotments
There are 46 allotment gardens in the borough. Here are details of where our sites are, how to rent one, and other useful information about growing your own vegetables. Benefits of having an allotmentThere are numerous benefits to having an allotment for a whole range of residents. It's a great way to be outside, active and physical with the bonus of growing fresh fruit and vegetables in the process. It helps teach children where food comes from and encourages community spirit and socialisation. It can help reduce stress and promote a sense of achievement and well being, not to mention the challenge of learning something new. Getting a plotWe have over 400 plots in the borough and operate a waiting list for each site. Most sites in Welwyn Garden City and some in Hatfield are fully occupied but there is usually movement on sites throughout the year. In recent years there has been huge increase in interest for allotments plots and in the last two years we have opened six new sites to meet demand. If you are interested in renting an allotment plot then look below for details and locations of individual sites to see which sites would be best for you. Please call 01707 357000 to be added to the waiting list or email allotments@welhat.gov.uk.
 Allotments in Welwyn Garden City
We manage 26 allotment gardens in Welwyn Garden City. Haldens
We have four sites within the Haldens area. Dawley and Maple Grove both have 6 plots. Blythway has 10 plots and Rowans has 12 plots. The latter two allotment gardens have water provision. See map Handside
Dellcott Close has 10 plots, Attimore Road and Melbourne Court both have just one plot and Colgrove has 7 plots. Lemsford Lane has 7 plots and Parkway Close is landlocked and can only be accessed by neighbouring properties. See map Hollybush
Marley Road allotment was opened in 2009 and has 5 plots. Another site was opened in Marley Road this year and also has 5 plots. Hyde Valley has 7 plots and Hatfield Hyde has 14 plots. All our sites in Hollybush have rainwater harvesting systems. See map Howlands
The Pastures has 14 plots and Westmead Organic site has 8 plots and a mains water supply. We opened a new site this year at Bushey Green, which has 3 plots and a rainwater harvesting system. See map Panshanger
Moneyhole Lane is our largest site in Welwyn Garden City with 90 plus plots. The site has a mains water supply. See map Peartree
St Audrey's Green allotment was opened in 2009. It has 12 plots and a 2500 litre rainwater harvesting system. See map Sherrards
We have 15 plots at our two sites at Sewells, which are connected to mains water. There are 9 plots at the two sites at Ingles, which are also connected to the mains. Tilecroft has 6 plots and Harwood Hill has 7 plots and a rainwater harvesting system. See map
 Allotments in Hatfield
We manage 18 sites in Hatfield. Hatfield West
The Council opened a new site this year at Haven Close, which has 3 plots and a rainwater harvesting system. Briars Wood Organic site is our largest site in Hatfield with 19 plots. The site is connected to the mains water supply. It also has regular meetings to discuss any issues on site and tenants work together to purchase manure. The nearby site of Briars Close is connected to mains water and has 7 plots. Hillcrest has 7 plots and Firs Close has 4 plots. Haseldine Meadows Site A has 7 plots and has a rainwater harvesting system. Haseldine Meadows Site B has 6 plots. Feather Dell is a landlocked site and can only be accessed by neighbouring residents. The Council also has allotment gardens at Martins Close, Swallow Gardens, which has 4 plots, Dove Court, which has 4 plots and Raven Court, which has 6 plots. None of the aforementioned sites have water provision. See map South HatfieldHawthornes has 6 plots, Newstead has 4 plots and our sites at Bullrush Close and Badger Way both have 3 plots. The site at Deerswood Avenue is our largest in South Hatfield with 16 plots and has a 2500 litre rainwater harvesting system. Broom Close has 6 plots and also water provision. See map
Allotments in Welwyn VillageHawbush Close allotment has 10 plots and two 2500 litre rainwater harvesting systems. See map
 Other sites in the borough
Some allotment sites in the borough are managed by town or parish councils as well as allotment associations. Please contact them directly if you are interested in a plot at one of the following sites: Digswell - Longcroft Allotment Association
Essendon - School Lane - Essendon Parish Council
Hatfield - Green Lanes - Hatfield Town Council
Welham Green - Station road - North Mymms Parish Council
Welwyn - Lockleys Drive - Welwyn Parish Council
Welwyn Garden City - Broadwater Road - Longcroft Allotment Association
Plot Size and PricesPlots vary in size from 75 to 200 square metres. Costs are calculated per 25 square metres and depend on whether the site has a water supply. Payment is due on 1st April each year. As from April 2012 the rates are as follows: - Allotment sites with water: £11.04 per 25m2
- Allotment sites without water: £6.72 per 25m2.
All plot holders are encouraged to collect rainwater on their plots. A guttering system to collect water into water butts is compulsory for those with sheds and greenhouses.
ConcessionsFor people on full income support and people over the age of 65, there is a 50 per cent reduction.
Allotment Tenancy AgreementIn order to rent a plot it is necessary to abide by certain rules and regulations. These rules and regulations are within our Allotment Tenancy Agreement which became Council policy in 2010.  View sample agreement. [262KB] The main points the tenancy agreement covers are: - you agree to pay a yearly rate within 40 days of receiving the bill
- you inform us of any change of address
- you agree to keep your garden reasonably free of weeds
- you agree to cultivate at least 25% of your plot within the first three months and the whole plot within one year
- you agree to maintain surrounding boundaries and pathways to your plot
- you agree to keep your plot free from rubbish and unused items
- you may erect a shed, greenhouse, polytunnel or plant fruit trees but must ask for permission first
- if you light a bonfire, it is according to the Council' guidelines
We regularly inspect our sites and plots to ensure that the rules contained within the agreement are being adhered to. The process of enforcement is essential to ensure that standards on our allotments are improved to the benefit of the local environment, current tenants and people who are on the waiting list.
How do I Pay My Rent Bill?When you receive your rent bill there are a number of ways you can make your payment. You can pay by credit or debit card online, over the phone by calling our automated telephone service on 01707 357755 (select option "invoices beginning with 2") by cheque or postal order or in person at Council Offices.
Giving Up Your AllotmentIf you want to give up your allotment, email allotments@welhat.gov.uk and your tenancy agreement will be cancelled. If you become ill and cannot look after your allotment, contact the allotment officer to discuss ways of managing your allotment until you can garden again.
2012 EventsBriars Wood Organic Allotment Open AfternoonAs part of National Allotment Week (6-12 August 2012) Briars Wood Organic Allotment Garden was open to the public on Sunday 12 August. The free event promoted the array of benefits of alllotment gardening - the "natural" health Service! Visitors were invited to bring their own picnic to enjoy in the orchard, and there were refreshments and homemade cakes available. Growers were on hand to answer any questions and there was homemade jams, free seeds and fresh produce displays. The allotment is adjacent to 27 Briars Wood and the garages, just off Briars Lane near the Leisure Centre in Hatfield.Open map Another Year film nightAnother Year was shown at the Hawthorne Theatre, Campus West, WGC, on Tuesday 7th August at 7.30pm, in honour of National Allotment Week. The British drama by Mike Leigh, with Lesley Manville and Jim Broadbent, is about a couple who have an allotment and the benefits that it brings them. Tickets were on sale from the Hawthorne Theatre.
Allotment NewsAll allotment holders receive a newsletter. If you are a plot holder or keen gardener and would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. Previous editions Allotment News Summer 2012 [1MB] Allotment News Winter 2012 [1MB]
Useful links
This page was last updated on 29/01/2013
|
