Allotments

Allotment gardening provides a wide range of benefits to communities and the environment, including:

• providing fresh home grown vegetables, fruit and flowers
• providing low cost food
• fresh air and exercise
• meeting new friends            

The District of Easington own and manage a number of sites throughout the district. Additional sites are provided by the Local Town and Parish Councils as well as a number of allotment associations.

About this service

The following sites are managed by the District of Easington:

Easington

• Oak Road            

Hesleden

• Gray Avenue            

Horden

• Crossroads
• Pithead Baths
• Thompson Street            

Shotton

• Moore Terrace
• Victoria Street            

South Hetton

• James Street            

Other allotment sites may also be available through the following:

• Horden Parish Council 0191 518 0823
• Peterlee Town Council 0191 586 2491
• Seaham Town Council 0191 581 2943
• Hutton Henry Allotment Association 01429 272141
• Station Town Allotments - Mrs E Wood - 0191 586 0553            

What you must do

If you are interested in an allotment tenancy or wish to be placed on the waiting list for one of our sites, please complete and return an application form.

If you already have an allotment and wish to transfer it to another party please complete and return the transfer form, however this does not guarantee that the transfer will take place as there may be a waiting list.

What we must do

We have a statutory requirement to provide allotments under the Small Holding and Allotments Acts 1908 to 1950.

What happens next?

An acknowledgement to correspondence will be received by the customer within seven working days and a full response will be provided within six weeks.

What are the charges for this service?

The annual charge for an allotment is between £10 and £12.

These rents are reviewed annually.

Some frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for fencing repairs?

It is the tenants responsibility to maintain the fencing to their plots.

Can I keep a horse or pony on my allotment?

New tenancies do not allow horses or ponies to be kept on allotments.

Can I keep livestock on an allotment?

The keeping of animals or livestock is not permitted except hens (not cockerals) and rabbits.

How do I give up my allotment?

You can terminate your tenancy at any time by contacting the Asset and Property Management Unit with details.

My friend wants to take over my allotment. How do we do this?

If you wish to transfer your allotment please contact the Asset and Property Management Unit with details. Transfer will only be allowed where there is not a waiting list for the site.

How old must I be to have an allotment?

Generally speaking you must be over 18 years old.  If you are under 18, a guardian can take a plot on your behalf.