The rules on Allotment Structures were revised in April 2021. The current rules are detailed below.
Sheds
Seeking permission from Nailsea Town Council to erect a shed on an allotment plot is no longer required. Smaller sheds are now permitted, but the maximum size will remain at 6ft x 4ft (1.80m x 1.20m), and these can be any colour – however this colour must be well maintained.
Sheds must be manufactured – not homemade – but it is not required to be tongue and groove. Sheds must be kept in a good state of repair.
Sheds must not have glass windows (polycarbonate/pespex is permitted) and must have a paving slab base. Ideally sheds will have guttering and a water butt for rainwater collection. A maximum of 1 shed to be permitted per plot.
Storage Boxes
Plastic storage boxes on plots are permitted at a maximum of 2 per plot, but only if there is no shed, and must be in a good state of repair. Up to 2 storages boxes or 1 shed per plot are allowed; tenants are not permitted to have both.
Cold Frames
Polycarbonate (i.e. not glass) cold frames with a maximum height of 1m are permitted to be used on site.
Netted Structures
Large netted structures, such as fruit cages, are permitted on plots, but must be well secured and assurances must be carried out so that they cannot cause any harm to people or surrounding plots.
Polytunnels/Polycarbonate Greenhouses
These items are now permitted on allotment plots, however permission to erect these must be sought from Nailsea Town Council before proceeding and the following conditions must be met:
- The method of installation you intend on using, be it self-installed or installed by a professional, must be advised to the Council and confirmation of permission received before the structure is installed.
- Polytunnels are to be a maximum size of 8ftx10ft, and must not cover more than 25% of your plot.
- Polycarbonate greenhouses are to be a maximum size of 6ftx6ft, and must not cover more than 25% of your plot.
- Greenhouses must have metal frames and no glass elements
- Polytunnels need to be securely installed and trenched into the ground.
- Polycarbonate greenhouses must have a paving slab base and, due to their lightweight nature, be bolted into these slabs.
- No cement or similar foundation material is to be used.
- Structures are to be commercially made; no self-made buildings will be permitted on site.
- Only 1 greenhouse or 1 polytunnel per plot; tenants are not permitted to have both on a single plot.
- The Tenant is responsible for the insurance of these structures.
- The structures are to be removed if it does not meet the specification or is not maintained adequately.
- The Tenant is responsible for removal if instructed by the Town Council. Failure would enable the Town Council to authorise removal/disposal at the tenant’s cost.
- Structures must be well maintained at all times and any damages incurred must be repaired in a timely manner.
- At the end of the tenancy structures must be cleared from the plot. Non-compliance may result in the costs of removal works being charged to the tenant.