Rules

for Chinnor Allotment Holders
Version 1.0   21 Nov 2016  

Chinnor Allotment and Garden Association

RULES FOR CHINNOR ALLOTMENT HOLDERS

The allotment site is managed on behalf of the Parish of Chinnor and the Committee that manages the site is responsible to the Parish Council.

1. The tenancy is to be yearly from October 1st subject to either party giving notice terminating on September 30th.

2. Allotment Rents and membership subscriptions are due on October 1st and are payable to the Committee Treasurer. A reminder will be on the Notice Board for the rent due. Outstanding rents not paid by October 31st will entitle the Committee to cancel the allotment holder’s membership in which case the holder will be notified. The holder will then have one week’s grace to remove any of their possessions and produce, after which the Committee will make disposal of any unclaimed possessions as they deem fit .

3. Plots are to be cultivated and kept relatively free from weeds for the purpose of growing vegetables, soft fruit and flowers. Tenants will be expected to cultivate at least 75% of their plot.

4. Inspections will be conducted by a CAGA plot-letting sub-committee periodically throughout the year and in the event that it considers a tenant failing to cultivate up to 75% of their plot or failing to maintain the plot in a proper way, including the maintenance of the adjacent paths and compost heaps and, on being given one month's written notice to put it in order, the allotment is still in an uncultivated or unsatisfactory condition the tenant shall be notified that their right to occupy the plot has been terminated without compensation for the loss of any rent or crops.

5. The tenant shall not plant anything so as to be injurious to any adjacent allotment. A tenant may before the expiration of their tenancy remove any fruit bushes or plants which they have planted or formally acquired and for which they have no claim for compensation.

6. In the interest of health and safety, composting is restricted to a structured container. Tenants with unstructured "compost heaps" may be considered to have failed to maintain their plot in the proper way and in this case may be subject to one month's notice as per Clause 4 conditions above.

7. The Committee reserve the right to eject summarily and without compensation any tenant guilty of theft or any other misdemeanour on the allotments.

8. No tenant shall be allowed to rent or sub-let their allotment without the written agreement of the Committee.

9. No tenant without the authority of the plot owner shall be allowed to trespass on any other allotment for any purpose. If any damage is done, or trespass is committed or there is a disagreement between two tenants, the matter in dispute shall be steered by the Committee and two arbitrators named by the respective tenants.

10. Applications to fill vacant plots must be made to the Plot Letting Secretary of the Committee using the Plot Application Form.

11. The tenants shall keep the paths and common areas around their allotments in good condition and repair and any hedges should be properly trimmed. Failure to maintain their plot in the proper way will be subject to one month's notice as per clause 4 above.

12. Barbed wire must not be used on or around allotments.

13. Dogs are not allowed.

14. Any complaint by a tenant must be made in writing to the secretary of the Committee.

15. No sprinklers or unattended hoses are allowed to be used.

16. Where a plot borders the allotment site boundary fence, a one metre gap should be kept free of compost, rubbish, equipment and tool boxes between the plot and the perimeter fence and compost, rubbish, equipment and tool boxes shall not be left on the path or roadway.

17. Consideration and discretion should be used when lighting bonfires especially at weekends, in windy conditions and in the summer. Bonfires should not be left unattended.

18. Sheds and Greenhouses: the general rule is that no permanent structures over four feet in height are allowed. It is possible to get permission to put up a greenhouse if you apply to the Committee; it must be no bigger than 6"x 4" and must use poly, not glass. Permission is discretionary so please get the permission before you buy.  

19. Flat storage boxes or other constructions for the storage of tools on individual plots should not exceed more than 4ft in height unless prior permission has been given in writing by the Committee.

20. All tenants must be residents of the Parish of Chinnor unless approved in writing by the Committee.

21. Access to and exit from the allotments must be by the gates provided. The gates are to be closed and locked when leaving the site.

22. Each Tenant will be eligible to purchase keys for said gates. The tenant is expected to carry gates keys while on the allotment site in order to comply with Rule 20 above.

23. To prevent damage to the central roadway no vehicles are allowed on this area during the winter months or when signs prohibit entry.

24. The Committee reserves the right to give one month’s notice to any tenant for any infringement of any of the rules, also to amend or add to any of the rules as it deems necessary.

25. Any tenant, or any person being a guest of that tenant found removing produce or other items from another tenants plot without the consent of the plot tenant, or from a vacant plot without the consent of the Secretary or Site Manager, may have their tenancy terminated immediately and may also face prosecution. The tenants are to be held responsible for such guests’ behaviour and health and safety. Minors (under 18) must be supervised.

26. Any notice required to be given by the Association to the tenant may be signed on behalf of the Association by the Secretary of the Association for the time being and may be served on the tenant either personally or by leaving it at their last known place of abode or by ordinary post or email or by letter sent by the recorded delivery service addressed to them there or by fixing the same in some conspicuous manner on the allotment garden comprised herein. Any notice or application for consent required to be given by the tenant to the Association shall be sufficiently given if signed by the tenant and sent by letter or handed to the Secretary of the Association.

 

Definitions

  • Cultivate up to 75%: As a guide this is taken to mean readiness for growing, sufficiently stocked or in preparation for the next seasons planting.
  • To avoid any misunderstanding or confusion the definition of what constitutes failing to cultivate up to 75% or failing to maintain the plot for the purposes of Clause 4 will be determined following an inspection by the plot-letting sub-committee. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into account but will ultimately rest on their judgement and discretion.
  • The decision to terminate a plot holder's membership following issue of a notice letter where insufficient remedial action has been taken in the subsequent month will be at the sole discretion of the Plot Letter whose decision is final.
  • The membership term constitutes the twelve month period between October 1st to September 30th.