I live in South Bham.
I have a few choices of allotments. My first choice had a 2 year wait. My second choice was 18 months. My third choice - I called, there were 2 allotments available (one looked like the amazon), and so I took the other one. Essentially once the paperwork came, and I viewed the allotment and payed it, it must have taken me only 1 week.
Cannot believe my luck with some people have to wait 5 years. And my plot is bloomin big.