If you live in postcode areas PO1 – PO6, you can apply for any city allotments.
The allotments at Rowlands Castle are available to those living in Rowland’s Castle and Leigh Park.
All our sites have waiting lists. Waiting time depends on the turnover at the site you choose. It’s usually 18 months to three and a half years.
Tell us if you change your address while waiting – we’ll only contact you when you’re at the top of the list.
You can’t apply for a second allotment or join a waiting list if you already have a plot.
Time and effort needed
The time you spend to maintain an allotment depends on the size of your plot and how intensively you garden.
For a standard plot (76 to 126 square metres), expect to spend:
- four to five hours per week in summer
- one to two hours per week in winter
Many people spend considerably longer.
To see whether an allotment is right for you, visit an allotment site on Sunday morning – a popular time when other plot-holders will be around to advise or answer your questions.
Plot inspections
Portsmouth City Council has a duty to ensure that the city’s allotment plots are put to good use, not only for the benefit of the people on the waiting list, but also because neighbouring plots can be affected by weeds spreading from neglected plots.
Plots are inspected monthly, and for any that are not being cultivated, a letter will be sent requesting plots to be returned to cultivation within a month, or the council will take back the plot and offer it to the person at the top of the waiting list.
Accepting or declining an allotment offer
You will be sent a letter offering you a particular plot at one of the sites which you have applied for. The letter includes a site plan to show the plot available to you and a tenancy agreement, which you should sign and return within 14 days. You will need to pay for the plot for the remainder of the letting year (up to 31 October). Once we have received your tenancy agreement and payment the plot is yours.
If you want to view the plot first, take along our offer letter to the site, and you will be let in. Weekends are good visiting times, as there is likely to be someone to let you in.
Accepting the offer
Return the signed tenancy agreement to the allotments office and pay for your plot. You will then need to contact the allotment association to arrange for a key to be issued to you. Details of how to contact the association will be sent along with your offer letter. A charge is made for keys.
If we don’t hear from you within 14 days, we will assume you aren’t interested in having an allotment, offer the plot to the next person on the waiting list and remove your name from the list. If you accidentally missed the deadline, then please call the allotments office and we will put you back on the waiting list for the next available plot.
If the plot is overgrown
If the plot is overgrown or has items left by the previous tenant you don’t want, tell us as soon as you accept it. We usually clear rubbish and trim plots if necessary before offering them. This service is free but only for new tenants.
Declining the offer
If your circumstances have changed and you no longer want an allotment, please let us know and we can remove you from the waiting list and offer the plot to someone else.
If the plot you have been offered is too large, consideration may be given to offering you an alternative smaller plot when one becomes available.
If you decline an offer for any other reason, your application will be suspended for 12 months for all sites. We will contact you after this time to offer you another plot.
Contact us
For more information, email allotments@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.