Allotments

Ryde Town Council manage five different allotment sites, our sites are located at:

• Marlborough Road
• Quarry Road
• Mayfield Road
• Alfred Street
• Upton Road

Liam Pearce and Shay Dixon are our Facilities and Allotments Officer who deal with the general running of the allotments and report directly to our Allotments Management Committee.

The average 5 rod plot is approximately 125m² with a current annual rent of £30.00 which includes water (£6 per rod). All plots have a £50.00 deposit charge. Alfred Street and Mayfield Road are the two smallest sites which are locked and there is a £5 key deposit if you wish to rent one of these allotments.

Residents of Ryde are welcome to apply for an allotment and their details will be added to the waiting lists. Due to the popularity of the allotments the current wait is approximately 6 to 12 months. Please see below for more details on how to apply.

Having an allotment is a great activity for you or all the family. It is a wonderful excuse to get outside, get physical, learn something new and meet other people in your area. It provides low cost local organic fresh fruit and vegetables as well as promoting a sense of achievement and well being.

If you are unsure of what can be grown on an allotment. On an average size plot (5 poles) you can easily accommodate the following:

• 2 rows new potatoes
• 2 rows early carrots
• 1 row parsnip
• 2 rows runner beans
• 1 gooseberry bush
• 12 raspberry canes
• 2 rows butternut squash
• 1 row lettuce (throughout season)
• 1 row French dwarf beans
• 12 strawberry plants
• 2 blackcurrant bushes

Applying for an Allotment

If you are interested in renting an allotment and to be added to one of your allotment waiting list(s) you can print out an application form and post back to the office or drop it in. You can email our Allotments team on facilities@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk for any further questions.

Please click the link for more info. Things to consider before taking on a plot

First Aid

We encourage all tenants to have their own first aid kit whilst working on their allotment for their own health and safety. Under no circumstances should anyone give ointments, tablets or medication to anyone else.

Inspections

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 current tenants, people who are on the waiting list, the surrounding community and the local environment.
If any of the clauses within the tenancy agreement are breached by the tenant, then we start the enforcement process by sending a notice. We send out a letter explaining the breach that has occurred. We then check back within 14 days we send out a second letter inviting the tenant to make contact. If we do not receive any response to the second letter after another 14 days, we will send out a notice to quit and this gives 28 days for the tenant to remove all personal belongings from the site. Inspections are also important to ensure that the basics on the allotment site, such as fences, gates, trees, bushes and water are maintained.

Giving up your Allotment

If you want to give up your plot please write a formal email to facilities@rydetowncouncil.gov.uk or letter and post to Ryde Town Council, 10 Lind Street, PO33 2NQ. Keys for Alfred need to be returned to the office also. We will carry out a final inspection of the plot to ensure that it is handed back to us in a reasonable condition and then this would determine the return of the plot deposit.

Crime/Vandalism

Plot holders should report vandalism or other evidence of intruders to the police. We also advise you to let us know via email, so we can keep a record.

Hazardous materials

Plot holders must acquaint themselves with and adhere strictly to the guidelines regarding storage, usage and disposal of hazardous materials such as glass, fertilizers and fuel. These must be securely stored in the proper containers, and well away from possible reach by children. No toxic or hazardous materials or contaminated waste should be stored or brought on to the site.