Murphy's Law...

[Barnowl]

After much planning, finally up went the Pergola on Friday.
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The next morning an allotment newsletter arrives in the post saying the Committee have passed a new rule restricting all structures on the site to 6ft 10 ins - the pergola is about 7ft 2 ins (depending on where you measure from)   :'(

It's not stained or weathered yet, so perhaps a bit obtrusive but having to rebuild it seems a bit harsh, and why 6ft 10 ins, not 7ft?

[Barnowl]

[manicscousers]

surely the fact it was already up before you got the letter would persuade them to let you keep the 4",  :)

[Eristic]

Dump 4" of topsoil round it for a while.

[kt.]

Is one of the committee your neighbour.........  Sounds like it may have been measured to me ::). 

What does your contract say? 
When did they decide this. 
Ask to see the minutes of the meeting. 
Why was a notice not put up? 
Did everybody else get a letter?

What about sheds being raised off the ground.  I bet some will peak just above.

[saddad]

Are there any existing Greenhouses on the site? Anything bigger than 8x6' will almost certainly exceed that height at the ridge......  ???

[Barnowl]

On the whole we have a good committee. There were several rule changes and everyone was sent  the newsletter and an updated copy of the rules. The meeting must have been before we put the pergola up otherwise they wouldn't have had time to get the newsletter out in the post.  The rules previously said that (apart from the sheds) the only structures allowed were those directly for the purpose of growing fruit or vegetables.

Our site is privately owned and the committee say they're worried that taller structures might be in breach of our covenants and thus allow the landlord to repossess the land. (Legally this is a bit far fetched because landlords have to formally advise you of the breach and require you to remedy it and it's only failure to remedy that might eventually lead to repossession).  I think the rule change from a general restriction to a specific one has arisen because someone else erected a tall pergola a month or so ago with red rafters right by the main track through the allotments.

To be fair, all our sheds are required to be exactly the same size (and dull colours, but that's another story  :) ) and you are only allowed one. They are all raised on brieze blocks and their ridges are probably all about 6ft 8" from the ground.  Greenhouses are similarly restricted in size but you may have up to three of them. Height has never previously been mentioned but you do have to get specific approval from the committee for the model that you want. Polytunnels are specifically verboten.

Tempted by the topsoil idea! But rather than cause hassle I'll drop the pergola the required amount. Luckily the problem arose before I trained the vines up it so it won't be a lot of work.

Many thanks for all the sympathy and supportive indignation :)

PS Just out of curiosity I will try and find out the rationale behind the 6ft 10" - I do have sneaking suspicion that one of the committee might have a fruit cage or something that is exactly that height   ;D