At the start of March, Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council welcomed 14 tenants on to the village’s first new allotment site since 60 plots opened at Elms Farm 2019.

Bloor Homes promised to deliver the allotments as part of its development at Walpole Meadows (WM). This has taken over 6 years.

Why so long?

Ever since the last brick was laid at Walpole Meadows, SMPC has been in negotiations with Bloor to ensure land meant for community is fit for purpose.

“We have had to work with the Section 106 Officer at Uttlesford District Council to persuade the developer to get these problems sorted out,” says Jo Kavanagh, Chair of the Council’s Open Spaces committee. “Taking on responsibility earlier would have meant the Parish Council paying to put this right.”

The land set aside for the allotments has been plagued by poor drainage, weeds, and the soil being peppered with stones.

Prior to the plots’ recent hand-over, Bloor rotavated the land and added more topsoil making the plot fit for cultivation.

Demand for allotments

Parish councillors have also been busy in the lead up to the handover. Tenancy agreements have been drafted, suitable chains and padlocks sourced to secure the plots, and the allotments marked out. 

“It has taken a lot of effort, but it has been worth it. We know how much demand there is for allotment plots,” says Cllr Kavanagh. “We would like to thank the new tenants for their patience while waiting to get on to their allotments.”

Increasing the supply of allotments in Stansted is dependent on land being reserved for this purpose as part of any new housing development.

Currently, the two planning proposals for homes near High Lane come without space for allotments.

Vacant plots

The best hope for people interested in getting a plot is to register their interest with SMPC.

Each year tenancy contracts are renewed and roughly six allotments at Elms Farm become free. It will be 12 months before it will become clear if tenancies are available Walpole Meadows.

To get on the waiting list, please email
info@stanstedmountfitchet-pc.gov.uk

Allotments in Stansted

At Walpole Meadows there are 14 allotments. Tenants pay £50 a year for a plot measuring 12.5m by 10m. It is too early to know how many will be returned in the next 12 months. There are already 12 people waiting for a plot at this site.

At Elms Farm there are 60 similar sized plots to Walpole Meadows. There is full occupancy currently at this site, with 18 people on the waiting list for a plot. Typically about 6 plots are returned annually.