How to apply for an allotment

Thinking about applying for an allotment?

One of the most common reasons why people give up an allotment plot is that it took more time and energy to look after than anticipated. A long neglected plot will take time and effort to become productive.

Television, radio and social media sometimes give the impression that it can be managed with very little time spent. Most current allotment tenants would disagree! In the main growing season it takes 8 hours or more a week to maintain an established plot.

Think about how many hours you have available. Talk to allotment holders about how much time they spend on their plot at different times of the year.

If you do not have a lot of free time, you might like to think about growing in your flower beds or in pots or grow-bags at home.

We don't want to put anyone off having an allotment, but it is worthwhile being realistic before you apply about what time you have and what taking on a plot requires.

Eligibility

To apply for an allotment, you need to be over 18 years old and a resident of Cheltenham. Your council tax should be payable to Cheltenham Borough Council.

If you live outside of the borough boundary then, unfortunately, we are unable to offer you a plot.

Community groups

If you're looking to apply on behalf of a community group or organisation, please contact the allotment officer directly.

Waiting lists

The waiting lists vary from a eighteen months to five years, depending on which site you apply for. There has been a big increase in the popularity of allotments over the last few years.

The shortest Cheltenham Borough Council waiting lists are at Hayden Road. Smaller sites like Severn Road and Reddings Road have a slower turnover of plots. Alma Road, Hatherley Road and Warden Hill Road have the longest wait from application to becoming a tenant.

Allotment charges

• Rent - Cheltenham Borough Council allotments cost between £45 and £105 per year (2025), depending on the size of the plot. A few very large plots fall outside of this range and are priced according to size. When you are offered an allotment you will be informed of the annual rent.
• Sheds - Some plots have sheds on them which have been installed by the council. These are rented to the tenant for £12.54 per year (2025).
• Administration fee - There is a one-off admin fee of £20 payable when you first take an allotment.
• Key charge - £20 for sites with security keys. The key charge for Hatherley Road allotments is £7.50.
• Discounts - Tenants over the age of 60 receive a 20% discount.
• Invoicing - In the first year allotments are billed pro-rata based on the month a plot is first leased from until 31 December. After that, an annual bill is sent in the post in January. You can pay this using our online payment system, selecting 'Invoices Starting 1' and using the invoice number as the reference.

Applications

Non-parish residents living in the borough of Cheltenham can apply for a Cheltenham Borough Council allotment using our online application form. If you live in a parish, you will need to apply directly to your parish council.

You will be contacted when there is a plot available and this can take anywhere between eighteen months and five years, depending on the site you have applied for. (We do not contact you on receipt of your application form.)

Information on who to contact to apply for different sites is included on the allotment map. Green spots on the map mark the sites managed by the borough council and the blue spots mark the sites managed by other organisations. You can also view Cheltenham Borough Council allotments in our allotment list.

Related Pages

• Allotments