All about the allotments...

Who owns the Penwortham Holme West allotments?

The allotments are managed by Preston City Council for the benefit of all people living in Preston and the surrounding areas. You can find information from Preston City Council about the allotments here. The Penwortham Holme West allotments are one of 9 allotment sites managed by Preston City Council. South Ribble Borough Council also has 2 allotment sites in Penwortham.

Do I qualify to rent a plot?

Only people who live in Preston qualify for an allotment at Penwortham Holme West.  As a guide, if you receive your council tax bill from Preston City Council then you qualify, if you don't then you won't. Even though the allotments appear to be in South Ribble, the land is actually owned by Preston City Council.

How many plots are there at the site?

There are now 162 plots on the site. As of the 1st January 2010 there are 4 vacant plots. Rent is due each April so more plots might become available after that month. The current waiting list is at 65. To find out more about allotments in Preston and to download an allotment waiting list form please visit the Preston City Council website.

Where are the allotments?

The allotments are on Liverpool Road in Preston, close to the bridge over the River Ribble, on the opposite side to the playing fields.

How can I rent a plot?

In the first instance you should contact Preston City Council's Parks Department on 01772 903623 to register your interest. Your details will be added to a waiting list and the site rep for the allotments will be informed.

While there are plots available, there is also a waiting list. The site rep is currently making his way through the list and offering allotments to those who still want one.

The site rep contacts potential tenants according to the list supplied by Preston City Council. The site rep will contact you by telephone to arrange for you to visit the site to see the plots available. Site visits are usually arranged for a Sunday afternoon. The site rep will try and make contact three times before moving onto the next person on the list. If he recieves no response you go to the bottom of the list. It's therefore important to ensure that if you have moved house or changed your telephone number since your name was added to the list, then contact the council again to ensure your contact details are up to date. You might miss the opportunity to get an allotment!

Once the site rep contacts you, he'll make arrangements to meet at the allotments so that you can view what is available. Your potential allotment is likely to be very overgrown so be prepared for a bit of hardwork! Existing sheds or greenhouses are the property of the previous tenant so there is no guarantee that they will be left behind. The previous tenant might be willing to let you have the shed/greenhouse for a small fee, or, they might have decided to abandon the building, in which case, it becomes your responsibility. There is no help available for clearing an allotment, so you might want to enlist the help of your friends and family! 

I've no experience in growing vegetables, would I being able to rent an allotment?

If you have enthuisiasm your half way there! Most people start out knowing nothing or very little about growing fruit and vegetables, but you'll learn as each season passes. Plus there are lots of other allotment holders with years of experience to help you out.

Don't forget that when you look around the allotment site all those wonderful plots you see are the result of years of hard work. Before you take on a plot consider the amount of free time you have available and the work that will be required both before and when you start growing your own. Looking after an allotment is not just a fair weather job, weeds grow very quickly! Allotments need all year round care to ensure a good season year after year.

I already have one allotment, can I have another?

The simple answer is yes you can, if you think that you can manage another allotment. However, you have to go on the same waiting list as prospective new tenants.

How much does it cost?

From the 1st April 2008 it costs £30 per year to rent a full plot and £15 to rent a half plot where available. State pension holders are entitled to a 50% discount upon presentation of evidence of your entitlement (required when you first take on a plot only). If you recieve benefit due to unemployment or disability a 50% reduction is also available. You must present evidence of this on an annual basis.

Is there an allotment society?

Yes there is, and you can join! There are meetings held in the cabin on a regular basis if you want to attend. As a member you can also benefit for cheaper seeds/plants! More importantly, in a country where housing is at a boom, we need to protect our green spaces and being part of a society shows that we support our allotments and don't want to lose them to new housing.

What about the proposed Riverworks project?

Unfortunately, the Riverworks proposals (they are not yet a formal plan) does include the Penwortham Holme West allotments becoming housing, but it is not yet a certainty and we can all fight it! Visit the Save the Ribble blog for more information.

Who can I contact about the allotments?

You can send an email in the first instance here.