Allotments
Allotment gardening provides a wide range of benefits to communities and the environment.
Apart from providing low cost food, they also provide valuable recreational opportunities involving healthy activity and social contacts. Allotments are significant to our green spaces and provide habitats for many forms of wildlife.
Allotments have evolved through a rich and varied history of social and economic change, the most notable being the 2nd World War where the public were encouraged to 'Grow their own Greens' and 'Dig for Britain'. The first legislative reforms date back to the Enclosures Act of 1845.
Today, the Council has a statutory requirement to provide allotments for the public.
Taking on an allotment plot is not all hard work; it can have many advantages, providing fresh home grown vegetables, fruit and flowers for you and your family, free from artificial additives and at a fraction of that you would have expected to pay in a supermarket or greengrocer.
There is also the social side, meeting new friends with similar interests and enabling you to enjoy a healthy outdoor life with gentle exercise and a place to relax and unwind.
We have five allotments in Bushey and Potters Bar. Parish Council and Allotment Associations are responsible for other allotments in the Borough. Allotments are rented out to the public for a small annual fee.
Please note: all the Hertsmere allotment sites are full and there is currently a three year waiting list. If you would like your name to be added to the waiting list please contact the Allotments Officer: jon.hawes@hertsmere.gov.uk or phone 020 8207 7497.
Bushey Allotments - location and features
Finch Lane Allotments, Finch Lane - Bushey
- A 2.43 hectare (6-acre) site with 79 plots
- Water standpipes
- Hard standing car park
- Secure gates and fencing
- Sensitively managed wildlife area
- Newly laid hedge
Merry Hills Allotments, Merry Hill Road - Bushey
- A 5.06 hectare (12.5-acre) site with 55 plots
- Bushey Horticultural Society trading hut
- Water standpipes
- Hard standing car park
Windmill Lane Allotments, Windmill Lane - Bushey
- A 1.62 hectare (4-acre) site with 57 plots
- Split into three areas
- Main area entrance in Windmill Lane. Other entrance from Clay Lane (next to park)
- Water standpipes
- New gates and fence around perimeter
Potters Bar Allotments - location and features
Emfield Road Allotments, Aberdale Gardens - Potters Bar
- A 0.4 hectare (1-acre) site with 13 plots
- Water standpipes
- Secure fence around perimeter
Kimptons Mead Allotments, Kimptons Mead - Potters Bar
- A 1 hectare (2.5-acre) site with 20 plots
- On-site water
- New gates and fence around perimeter
- Wildlife site bordering with allotment
- New native species hedge planted
Parish Council Allotments
Other allotment sites are run by the parish councils. For further information contact them directly:
Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council
tel: 0208 207 1382
Shenley Parish Council
tel: 01438 880064 (John Marks, clerk)
Radlett Parish Council
tel: 01923 856 433
Allotment sizes
- A half plot is 126.5 metres sq (5 poles).
- A standard plot is 253 metres sq (10 poles).
Allotment fees
| Allotments | Annual Fee (2009-10) |
|---|---|
| Per half plot (126.5 metres sq / 5 poles) | £9.25 |
| Per full plot (253 metres sq / 10 poles) | £18.50 |
Further information
" Allotments - A Plot Holder's Guide" is available on the Allotments Regeneration Initiative website, which may contain more useful information.