Allotments No 9 Private Allotment Business - (Update No1 - 2 December 2011)

Must admit that I have never tried to turn private land into allotments so this is a first out-of-the-top of my head Checklist of things I would need to do....? However, I would not wish to create the best allotments in the world and them find that no locals, etc want to rent (or buy) them!!!

Demand: 

• Check 1: Research to establish the kind of "marketing mix" to meet needs in the area.  I would range from "ordinary" plots to "leisure plots" (as in Denmark). [For this Post I am assuming ordinary plots we all know.] 
• Check 2: Research the competition (including the local authorities, eg parish council) to establish that I have a market for one or more of the ideas that I have. At this point I will mention and might meet the planners who might want to damp-squib my ambitions - best to know early on .. perhaps??? 
• Check 3:   Seek evidence of  a) current market rents;  b) vacancies/ waiting lists for local allotment sites.

Ownership: 

• Check 1: If the land is freehold, check the conveyance documents as to any bar on the proposed  development and use of the land as allotments, eg make sure that there is no restrictive covenants.
• Check 2: If the land is leasehold, check the lease to see whether it allows development and use as allotments.  If not, I would need to consult the landlord for permission maybe..?
• Check 3: If I have not visited the land for years, I would beat (walk) the boundaries to establish that none of my neighbours has actually or is attempting to obtain adverse possession...? [seems a long shot but I have known it to happen in other circumstances!]

Organisation and Policies:

• Check 1:   Owner-developer to decide to run the site as a business with manager or self-managing.
• Check 2:   The allotmenteers as an association may lease the site and manage it themselves.

Governance Policies

• Check 1:   Best governance policies must have regard to the law directly applicable to allotments.
• Check 2:   Law which should be followed includes: a) allotment tenure law;  b) health and safety; c) disability discrimination; d) building and planning law.

Suitablility:

• Check 1:   I would make a check that the land is generally physically suitable for allotment gardening. [See Marketing Mix.]

"Marketing Mix":

• Check 1:  Ensure that the needs of those in the market for allotments is covered.  
• Check 2:   Develop ideas about the physical needs. Consider such not-in-order matters as:     a) soil conditions; b)  availability of piped or natural water sources, eg wells;  c) boundary fences and walls;  d)  gateways; e) access to the site from the public highway; f) orientation to sun generally;  g) shade from on-site (and off-site) trees;  h) slopes;  i) horrible weed infestation, eg Japanese knotweed; j) waste management, eg collection and recycling; k)  car parking and access for those with disabilities; l) sheds and other accommodation; m) toilets;  n) ....etc, etc.
• Check 3: Check the non-physical requirements vis-a-vis the allotmenteers. Cover such tenure matters as: a) rent,  b) repairs and maintenance;  c) insurances;  d) day-to-day on-site and off-site management;  e)  service charges; f).... etc.  
• Check 4:  Check the day-to-day administrative and management arrangements and schedules, such as: a) new lettings; b) evictions;  c) promotion of the site; d) waste management; e) rent collection.

Promotion and Public Relations:

• Check 1:   Develop the messages for target audiences and the media delivery.
• Check 2:   Check the owners of abutting and nearby land and property - particularly if they have easements or other rights or concerns. 

Planning:

• Check 1:   Check planning policy documentation for the area and site.
• Check 2:   Establish that there is or is not a requirement for planning permission.
• Check 3:   Submit properly completed planning application (if needed) with any mandatory accompanying documentation. Comply with other mandatory requirements of the planning procedures.
• Check 4:   Seek support from members of the community. 

Building Regulation

• Check 1:   establish the need for any building regulation permit for the works, eg drainage etc.
• Check 2:   if needed obtain forms and prepare plans ect for submission.

Budgeting:

• Check 1:   Ensure the financial feasibility of the proposal
• Check 2:   Prepare a budget for the appraisal stages, essentially much of the above.
• Check 3:    Prepare a budget of proposed work to bring the land to a state of being let in plots.
• Check 4:    Prepare an income and expenditure budget to establish the levels of "minimum rents". 
• Check 5:     Compare the market rents and the "minimum rents" so as to decide the plot rents.
• Check 6:    Decide on the accounts needed to run the "business".