Watford Borough Council

You can only rent one of Watford's allotment plots if you pay your council tax to Watford Borough Council.  If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact us on tel: 01923 278333 or use the email address at the bottom of the page.

Where are the sites?

Please note: the Cherrytree site is now under self-management.  To ask about plots and prices for this site, please contact their lettings officer, Ollie Cowe on 01923 492218. 

How much does a council-managed allotment cost?
The basic cost for an allotment will be £4.40 per pole starting from April 2011.

What facilities are there?
All sites have water tanks, some have toilets and also trading huts where you can purchase reasonably priced seeds and sundries. You need permission from us to put up a shed. Fencing is not allowed.

How do I rent an allotment?

• Call us on tel: 01923 278333 to get an application form, or click here to download one: please note that the waiting lists for both Briar Road and Chester Road are closed;
• Complete the form and return it to us (post/email ) to go on the waiting list for your chosen site (we suggest you choose the one closest to your home, but please be aware that small sites have longer waiting lists);
• When a plot is available, we will send you an offer letter (please keep us informed of any change of contact details);
• Once you have confirmed that you still want to have a plot, we will arrange for you to view the available plot(s) with the site supervisor;
• Finally, when you have agreed your plot, you need to complete a tenancy agreement, and then you will receive the key to the allotment site.

Watford’s allotment sites also provide a refuge for wildlife, including a number of species that are now scarce in Hertfordshire. Over 500 native trees have been planted on our allotment sites. New ponds are also being built which encourage species that are the allotment holders’ friends.

Organic cultivation is strongly encouraged by the council, which has designated organic growing areas on some sites. Use of peat is discouraged as peat extraction damages the environment and is not necessary for a healthy allotment. Watford Borough Council is a 'peat-free' council.

The future of allotments?

We have recently revised our Allotment Strategy following extensive consultation in the summer with all our allotment tenants.  The consultation period has now closed.  This consultation has shaped the strategy and the action plan, and the Strategy will be taken to Cabinet in early 2012. 

The Executive Framework is a summary of the proposals within the main strategy, providing most of the information and background.  Feel free to download the draft documents: once the Strategy is finalised and adopted, we will put this on the website.