Advice about allotments and how to get started

Number of allotments available in the borough

  • We currently have 24 allotment sites across the borough with over one thousand plots.
  • Allotments are provided as full or half plots.
  • A full plot is 250 square metres and a half plot is 125 square metres.
  • Map showing allotment locations - Google Maps.

Plot availability

There are currently waiting lists for all sites.

  • You can add your name to the waiting list by completing our online application form
  • You may put your name on the list for more than one site and we suggest that you choose sites near to where you live.

The cost of hiring an allotment

  • all new tenants pay a £50 deposit at the start of tenancy. This is refundable at the end of tenancy subject to satisfactory inspection of plot condition
  • the charges for April 2023 to March 2024 will be £97.80 for a full plot and £48.90 for a half plot
  • odd sized plots are charged per square metre
  • fees are invoiced annually in March for the following financial year and payment must be received by the date stated on the invoice

Getting started

Allocation of plots

When you have reached the top of the waiting list for your chosen site, we will contact you by email or telephone and give you details of the site steward who you will contact to arrange to meet on site to view the plot.

The process and timescales for setting up a tenancy is as follows:

  • complete and submit a formal application for a specific plot
  • council prepares tenancy documentation for signature, information pack and invoice
  • prospective tenant signs tenancy agreement and sends this back to the council
  • prospective tenant collects key from site steward
  • this process can take up to a fortnight depending on how quickly documentation is returned

Once an agreement has been signed and returned to the Council, cultivation can start.

Sheds and greenhouses

At most sites, subject to certain conditions and with written permission from the council, tenants are allowed to erect a shed and/or a greenhouse on their plot. Sheds can be no larger than 6'x4' and greenhouses no larger than 6' x 8'. Greenhouses must be polycarbonate glazed.

Site security

All sites have gates that are locked with padlock and chain. All tenants are issued with a key. 

>Site management

Management

All sites are managed by staff employed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. The council also appoints a volunteer steward for most sites.

Inspections

Three inspections a year are carried out to ensure that plots are being cultivated appropriately. A maximum of three letters will be sent to plot holders in the event of non cultivation.

In the event that this has not resolved the issue, the tenancy will cease, and the plot will revert to the Council.

Details about sites and their location

Watering

  • all sites have shared taps located around the site and some taps also have water tanks
  • the water is turned off during winter to prevent frozen or burst pipes - it is normally turned back on in April each year
  • tenants can provide water storage containers on their plot

Sites with plots for tenants with disabilities

Batts Hill, Holly Lane, and Wiggie Lane allotment sites have plots that are designed for plot holders that are elderly and/or have a disability. These are in the form of raised beds; they have access all round and are at an easily accessible height.

Cars

Most sites have a parking area - cars should not be parked on plots or paths except when making a delivery.

Manure

On some sites manure is available by arrangement with fellow plot holders or the steward.

Livestock

Subject to agreement with the council and certain conditions, plot holders can keep chickens and bees.

Location of sites

Banstead

  • Holly Lane Allotments, Banstead
  • Lambert Road Allotments, Banstead
  • Parsonfield Road Allotments, Banstead
  • Partridge Mead Allotments, Bridgefield Close, Banstead
  • Tattenham Way Allotments, Banstead

Earlswood

  • Brambletye Park Road, Earlswood
  • Maple Road Allotments, Earlswood
  • Princes Road Allotments, Earlswood

Lower Kingswood

  • Smithy Lane Allotments, Lower Kingswood

Merstham

  • Merstham Allotments, Weldon Way, Merstham

Redhill

  • Batts Hill Allotments, Redhill
  • Colesmead Allotments, Gatton Park Road, Redhill
  • Highlands Allotments, Hatchlands Road, Redhill
  • Redstone Hill Allotments, Nutfield Road, Redhill
  • Wiggie Lane Allotments, Redhill

Reigate

  • New Pond Farm Allotments, Woodhatch Road, Reigate
  • Park Lane Allotments, Park Lane, Reigate
  • Park Lane Extension, Park Lane, Reigate
  • Park Lane East Allotments, South Park
  • Riding School Allotments, Prices Lane, Woodhatch
  • The Paddock, Woodhatch Road, Reigate

Tadworth

  • Merland Rise Allotments, Tadworth

Woodmansterne

  • Lakers Rise Allotments, Woodmansterne
  • The Park Allotments, Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne

Contact

Greenspaces team email: >allotments@reigate-banstead.gov.uk