"Janet Tweedy" wrote ...
after Bob Hobden replied
Of the three allotment plots we have started only one was taken over from
another gardener and that certainly was not a benefit,

Both had excellent fertility from the start and little or no
diseases or pests (other than slugs).
We would go for a long term unused plot every time because, although it's
harder work to start with, it's all down to you.


** I'm told there was one of those gardeners on our present site a few
years
back, too tight to buy manure or pay for it to be delivered, and he
complained his veg steadily got smaller and poorer over the years but
would
still not pay for any fertilizer, eventually he gave up, leaving the plot
for some unsuspecting person.


I take your point about not minding losing long held allotment areas, I
have not had an allotment though my father held three in New Eltham, many
moons ago.
However I would have thought the council would only allow an area of
land/ground to replace your allotments that wouldn't be equally as
suitable for them to build the next quota of packed in houses, i.e.
something too steep, awkward, inaccessible or liable to flood?

Depends if it's "Statutory Allotment land" which has some protection via the
Dept of the Environment (and it works!). If you are not sure if your site is
or isn't just ask the Council and they will tell you. If it is and you
suspect some funny business from the Local Council (exorbitant rents, no
upkeep, damaged fencing not repaired) to force people off the site get a
letter off to the DoE with your suspicions, a bit of foundation to your
claims helps too. :-)
If it's not Statutory then tough, you are at the mercy of the landlord.

--
Regards
Bob H
17mls W. of London.UK