Members Site Rule's

Rowley Allotments.

Mill Lane. St Neots.

In signing of their yearly rent, tenants are agreeing to the following rules.

On site.

• On entering/leaving the allotments please close and lock the gate, this applies even if the gate is open.
   
• The speed limit on site for all motorised vehicles is 5mph and must not be exceeded. You will not be permitted to bring your vehicle into the site if this speed is exceeded. The allotment association nor the landowners will accept any responsibility for vehicles bought on site.
   
• The gate at the entrance to the site must be shut and locked at all times. 
   
• Plot holders caught not locking and or shutting the gate or speeding on site will be given two warnings (one verbal, one written) if they are caught a third time they will have to give back their key and be denied vehicular access to the site.
   
• The Association accepts no liability for loss suffered by Tenants including, but not limited to, fire, theft, vandalism and flood damage.
   
• Valuables should not be left on site or removed from site completely and used at owners’ risk and are not the responsibility of Rowley Allotment Association.
   
• Tenants are reminded that Rowley Allotments is a site on which we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, families and children. As such we do ask for a modest dress code to be followed. 

Your plot.

• Allotment tenants must not sublet or reassign all or any part of their plot. 
   
• Tenants must inform the Management Committee (rowley.allotment.association@gmail.com) of any change of address or status.
   
• Tenants must pay their rent within four weeks of the invoice date.
   
• Tenants are not allowed to enter other member’s plots or remove property without permission.
   
• Solid fences adjacent to neighbours’ plots should not exceed 1 metre in height, wire and trellis fences should not exceed 1.5 metres in height. Barbed or razor wire must not be used. Any hedges must be cut tidily and must not create large shadows on neighbouring plots.
   
• Structures such as sheds, greenhouses and poly-tunnels must be temporary and safely maintained.
   
• An allotment is rented to the tenant for the purpose of cultivation of herbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables for personal use. A plot and/or its produce must not be used for business purposes or financial gain.
   
• Each tenant is required to cultivate a minimum of 75% of their allotment, greenhouses and poly-tunnels inclusive. Areas covered by a membrane for longer than 6 months are not considered to be cultivated. Plots should be kept tidy at all times of the year.
   
• All pathways and roads are to be kept clear and tidy.
   
• Existing boundaries, hedges or trees must not be cut down or removed unless approved by the Committee.
   
• Hedges and trees can only be trimmed and/or cut back during September – February so as to not disturb any nesting birds.

Fires, waste and weeds.

• Bonfires are permitted but please let your neighbours know and be considerate to our local community before lighting bonfires; only burn dry material, avoid windy days, always supervise and adequately contain, only burn allotment garden waste and untreated/unpainted wood. Bringing materials onto the site to burn is not permitted. The burning of manmade materials e.g. plastics, paint, tyres, carpet, is strictly prohibited, as is the storage and use of accelerants such as white spirit, turpentine, etc. Do not leave fires unattended and have adequate means to extinguish to hand.
   
• During specific periods of time e.g. due to onsite public or community events, or periods of extreme drought, the Management Committee shall reserve the right to temporarily prohibit bonfires on specific plots or the entire site. The Management Committee shall communicate any fire bans by posting site notices well in advance of any such restrictions when possible. Burning during a fire ban could result in the termination of your tenancy.
   
• Waste from external sources must not be deposited on the allotment or any other part of the site.
   
• Use of weed killers must not be allowed to spread onto a neighbour’s allotment. 
   
• Only commercially available poisons manufactured for the eradication of vermin may be used and compliance with manufacturer’s recommendations must be strictly adhered. Poisons / Chemicals of any sort must not be left outside and must be kept in a safe place out of sight.

New tenants.

• New tenants accepting tenancy more than 6 months through a rent year will be invoiced a pro rata amount.
   
• A new tenant is under probation for the first six months, should they choose to return the allotment to the Association within this period they must inform a Committee Member, claim for reimbursement of rent may be possible through the Committee, commensurate with length of tenancy and plot condition.
   
• If new tenants complete less than 40% plot cultivation (e.g. ready for planting clean and tidy) within the first six months the tenancy may be terminated with no refund and the plot returned to the Association for re-letting.

Livestock and animals.

• No Livestock shall be brought onto or kept on site.
   
• Dogs brought onto the allotment site must be properly supervised and adequately controlled. If being walked around the allotment site, all dogs must be kept on a lead. Owners must clean up and remove all faeces from the site.

We will take allegations of abuse, harassment or bullying seriously and will address them promptly and confidentially where possible. Abuse, harassment or bullying by any plot holder or associate will be treated as misconduct and may lead to termination of tenancy.