The Bluebell Model Allotment Gardens Association does not handle the administration of the allotments. Allotment plots are allocated and managed by Norwich City Council and the process is outlined below. There is currently a waiting list of North Side: 250 and South Side: 239 (@May 2010) but don’t despair as some of these are what the Council call crossovers so it could be less. It all depends on how many decide to leave and when, so you could be number 30 one day and offered a plot the next.

To apply, you will need to contact the Allotment Office at the City Hall  to put your name on the list and get a queue number. You can call them on 0344–980-3333 (when they ask you to select an option, press 6, then 5 to avoid waiting). You can also email them, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , it actually might be quicker!

When a plot becomes available the Council will write and offer it to you. They will wait two weeks for a reply and if they don’t get one you will be removed from the list so it might be worth checking your position before you jet off on holiday for three weeks. If you are offered a particular plot and it is not to your liking you can reject up to three after which you will be removed from the list. If you do accept, you will need to sign a contract and Allotment agreement .

The way it works is that when the Council are notified of an allotment becoming vacant, they allow one month for the site to be cleared then contact the next person on the list. New applicants are given priority over existing plot holders and if someone has indicated that they want a double plot they will remain on the list until a double becomes available. The time from vacancy to let is approximately two months.

They do have allotment officers who check on the state of plots and if any are found to be neglected, they will write to the tenant and do have the right to reclaim it.

Click here for the Norwich City Council allotment page for more information.

While you are waiting, read on-line....  Allotments: A Plot Holders Guide 2007 or download.

Historical Allotment Measurements

The size of a standard allotment is 10 rods, and is cultivated traditionally in rows working on a three year crop rotation.  Plot sizes are measured in rods, an old Anglo-Saxon unit so-called because it was the length of the rod used to control a team of eight oxen.

A rod is 5.5 yards (5.03metres).

A chain = 4 rods = 22yd (20.12m) and is the length of a cricket wicket.

A furlong = 10 chains. One mile = 8 furlongs.

An acre is the area of land that could be ploughed in a day, being a furrow long (furlong) and a chain wide, or 160 square rods.  Allotment sizes are usually 5 or 10 rods.  A 10 rod allotment is 10 square rods in area, 10 x 5.5 x 5.5 = 302.5 sq yd (253 sq m). In metric units, a 10 rod allotment is 1/40^th hectare: in imperial units it is 1/16^th acre.

(From a sign in the RHS Model Vegetable Garden, Wisley).

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