I just got back after a hard day digging the clay paths and covering with woodchip and a letter was waiting for me. When i opened it i was fumming, it said that i had broken two rules. 1.errecting a greenhouse as its a perminant structure and it has to come down, even though it is not a proper greenhouse and someone else has a proper one ::) 2. concreted post, concrete is not allowed. I have to remove the concrete.
All the hard work i have put in, to change a deralict area into a well kept plot. >:(
There is no contact details, only the names, so i have no way of replying. No names or phone numbers have ever been given to me.
I'm going back over tomorrow to take photo's of concrete bases of sheds and the greenhouses and other perminant structures.
Neil
So who did you rent your plot from Neil?
Sorry to hear you are so cross.
Its maddening when you are trying to make things better. Sounds like your not gonna lye down.
First thing i would look for on the letter is a signature, if there is no signiture then it is not withstanding.
If these people who sent you the letter had any backbone they should of told you to attend a committee meeting because you are in breach of the rules and told you to your face and given you the oppertunity to state your case.
Although it would not strengthen your hand I would be inclined to tell them to "P*ss off". Greenhouses are not permanent structures... unless you have created a large concrete base... and as for the posts... ridiculous.#
>:(
Sorry to hear this Nilly. What I don't understand is that when I took on my plot I was given no guidance at all as to what I could/couldn't do or have. I have had to ask each step of the way. If there are rules to be followed, surely it would be in everyone's best interest to issue new plot holder with some guidance. Sometimes I think the committee enjoy watching enthusiastic newbies merrily improve their plot and then come down on them like a ton of bricks. Perhaps it is a jealous plot holder that doesn't like the fact that you are taking a great deal of trouble on your plot that has sent this to you. As said before, you should have had the opportunity to have been told by the committee not been told by a letter. How cowardly is that. Do hope you manage to sort this out amicably as this sort of thing can leave a very bad taste in your mouth for the future. Someone else has made a post whilst I was typing this. Apologises if this duplicates anything
i would point out my greenhouse is on a timber frame the weight of it holds it down no permanent structure SADDAD had it right p*****f tell them to spend the time writing there thoughts out in the first place then people wouldn't make decisions on there own bat communication is the word
neil, do you recognise the names ?
Is there a notice board on site where you can ask for the sender to contact you ?
Do you have a committee on site with a secretary?
Is your site privately let, council owned or self managed ?
Either /or ---- you have good cause for complaint and don't do anything unless you are contacted
or you can meet with someone with any ' clout' ... The letter means nothing as it stands .....
Gather your evidance of other plot holders ''activities '' and in the meantime - bide your time !
Best of luck and we are all rooting for you ;D
floss xxx
What does your tenancy agreement say? FWIW I agree it's stupitarded too!
Thanks all
Yes the letter does have a signature. I don't recognise either of the two names on there.
We do have a notice board but it behind perspex and locked so unless i tape a letter to the front then there is noway of contacting them straight away. I do know who one of the wardens are so i will have to put a letter through her shed door. What makes it more anoying is she has a plot next to me and said what a great job i have done of such an eyesore.
The allotment is owned by the council but managed by a committee.
If i do have to take the post down then it won't be to bad as they are only held in by a couple of inches of concrete but the two holding up the base of the greenhouse will be a pain.
No i'm not taking it laying down, i like to keep people of authority on their toes ;D as my boss at work is finding out at the moment ;D
Thanks
Neil
Neil
What a pain!
If someone else has a greenhouse then surely a precedence has been set?
What are the actual rules - demand to see them. Maybe there's a work-around solution?
What do other allotment sites in your area do? Is it your mob being overly officious in their interpretation of the rules? Or do other council owned sites allow them (maybe you have to get permission)?
You mention 1 neighbours positive comments - does your greenhouse overshadow anyone elses plot? What about your other immediate neighbours?
I'm presuming you are allowed a shed, if so what's the difference with a greenhouse?
Quote from: Jeanbean on February 19, 2009, 19:15:18
What I don't understand is that when I took on my plot I was given no guidance at all as to what I could/couldn't do or have. I have had to ask each step of the way. If there are rules to be followed, surely it would be in everyone's best interest to issue new plot holder with some guidance.
I think this is a real and common problem, I've been lucky and people on site (only some mind you) have beenhelpful with info and do's and don'ts. Communication is a real issue - and just writing a letter and not talking to you about it is inconsiderate and mean
Good luck mate - try talking 1st and then start planning your defence and attack! I remember there was a post on here somewhile ago about a guy who managed after years of battles with his committee to get a shed. Seem to remember he was around Liverpool somewhere and he even ended up getting the mayor or councillor to cut the ribbon!
If all else fails we could start an on line petition ;D ;D ;D
When i first joined, they said that greenhouses were not allowed because of the glass and if any of the vandels get over there they would smash the glass.
They also said pollytunnels were ok ::)
I think i have a good chance of changing their minds :) well i hope so :-\
Neil
Quote from: nilly71 on February 20, 2009, 08:29:40
When i first joined, they said that greenhouses were not allowed because of the glass and if any of the vandels get over there they would smash the glass.
But isn't that your risk then? i.e. not their risk / problem
On our site, a plot holder has to get written permission from the Council to put up a shed and/or a greenhouse before they start the work, and the council indicate the position they must be in, also they now only allow 'proper' sheds and greenhouses and to a certain size. Perhaps you needed to get permission first and/or you don't meet these requirements on style/size?
If sheds/greenhouses are allowed on your site, perhaps asking the Council in retrospect you could get permission?
Every new plot holder on our site is given a copy of the site rules (drawn up by the council) and if they put up a shed or greenhouse without permission our field secretary would have a friendly word with them and advise them to quickly put in for permission. If they didn't then comply they would get a letter from the Council and be asked to remove it. Our field secretary is given details of any approval given for sheds or greenhouses by the council and he and our field warden (me!) make regular inspections of our field.
As i am the very last plot surrounded by trees on 3 sides and all the other plots are to the East, my shed and greenhouse are on the West side of my plot so it does not interfere with anyone elses plot.
I was given the rules when i first joined, i think the main mistake was not asking permission. Don't get me wrong, I agree with having rules as there are too many idiots out. If someone had come to me or phoned me for a friendly word it would not be so bad but it was the fact i recieved the letter giving me 4 weeks to make the changes and no contact details or details on how to appeal was what really got to me.
The rules do not say anything about concrete ;) they do say i don't need permission for a cold frame, whats the difference between a selfmade green house 15"w x 5'h x 10'l and a coldframe? ;D
Neil
nilly, thats one hell of a cold frame you've got there ! :o ;) ;D
floss xxx ;D
Nilly, it may have nothing to do with interfering with anyone else. There may well be a covenant or term in the lease for the land that disallows permanent structures. There is on my site. We can't concrete in posts or bases for sheds or greenhouses, we need written permission for a shed, it must be no bigger than 6x4, of traditional construction and brown. We can have greenhouses but not glass only polycarbonate. Polytunnels are fine.
On our site, if a committee member saw you building something you didn't have permission for, they would speak to you. But you've pointed out your plot is tucked away. If we didn't know of illegal structures until after they'd been built, we'd send a letter too. It's usually the quickest way of contacting plotholders not on site every day, it's in writing so everyone is clear on what the issue is and there's a record if it has to be taken further.
Don't you know who your committee members are? Who do you contact if there's a problem on site?
Hi Nilly
I am the site representative on my site and we do need to ask permission for sheds. They do not allow glass on the site for obvious reasons. I know that if vandals get in and break your glass it is your loss - but it is the danger of broken glass to anyone else that the Council are covering themselves for potential damages claims!
If I had used concrete to put my polytunnel posts in I would not have been allowed as they are seen as "permanent". I would not worry about a "name" on the letter I would go to the Council offices or whereever you pay your rent to and have a quiet word with them. Don't rant at them - as you will lose the battle.
If you point out that you will do whatever you can to comply with the rules but that as your greenhouse and shed are there already - pretty please can they stay and that you guarantee to remove concrete if and when you give up your allotment in the future? Try it it may work.
Good luck anyway!
Old Bird
;D
Our rules are much the same as ceres.
I agree that a letter would be sent out to you too. I can't see anything wrong with that.
Sinbad
Quote from: ceres on February 20, 2009, 10:20:39
On our site, if a committee member saw you building something you didn't have permission for, they would speak to you. But you've pointed out your plot is tucked away.
Don't you know who your committee members are? Who do you contact if there's a problem on site?
One of the wardens has a plot next to me and knew what i was doing, we normaly get on really well and we have swapped plants, she started me off with leeks and garlic. If she had said something, i would of stopped.
A new commitee was formed in October, i only have the phone number of the old warden ::) I have seen another warden today, he said that it was mentioned in a recent meeting but did not know a letter would be sent out, i also requested a list of contact number to go on the notice board.
Quote from: Sinbad7 on February 20, 2009, 17:03:09
Our rules are much the same as ceres.
I agree that a letter would be sent out to you too. I can't see anything wrong with that.
Sinbad
As i have said before, it's mainly that i can't put my reasons/points across and the warden knew what i was doing.
I had a little wander around today and found a few people breaking the rules. One of the wardens have concreted the bricks that form the edge of her path, i wonder if they have asked her to remove them :-\
If i do have to take down the cold frame ;) then a polytunnel will have to take its place :)
Neil
Find out who these people are; if you don't know the names, and its not on a letterhead, you can probably ignore it.