RulesThe terms and conditions of the tenancy as agreed by the Committee of Hobbs Allotments and Garden Society are as follows:


1. Applicants should reside in the Parishes of Ford, Climping and Middleton-On-Sea and apply in writing to Hobbs Allotments Association - 10 The Beaches, Waterford Gardens, Climping, West Sussex BN17 5PQ or email geoff.martin47@btinternet.com

2. The rent is to be paid annually by 1st January and is agreed at the AGM. Rent for 2019:- 
The charges are: 
2.5 rod plot - £31.50 per annum
5 rod plot - £41.50 per annum
7.5 rod £56.50 per annum 
10 rod plot - £64.50 per annum 

There is no pro-rata reduction in fees for applicants taking up plots part way through the year. New members will also be required to pay a £50.00 one-off deposit in the first year of membership. The deposit will be returned at the end of tenancy, provided that the plot is left in a tidy and re-lettable condition. Cheques should be made payable to: Hobbs Allotments and Gardens Society and sent to the Membership Secretary. There is a 3 month probationary period for all plot holders. 

3. The plot may only be used for the cultivation of vegetables, fruit and flowers and no other purpose. No plot holder may hold more than 10 rods at any time, and plot holders may not use their plots for commercial purposes. 

4. Plot holders wishing to plant fruit trees must apply in writing to the Committee for permission prior to any planting taking place. There are certain, non-negotiable conditions to be met before permission will be granted: 
a) No tree is to be planted less than 1.5 metres from a neighbouring plot. 
b) No tree is to be planted less than 1.5 metres inside the boundary of a plot holder’s plot. 
c) Trained stopovers or espaliers may be grown as boundary markers, provided that they do not exceed 1.5 metres in height 
d) Tree height for stand-alone trees is restricted to an absolute maximum of 3 metres. 
e) Rootstock and other restrictions apply as follows: Apple M26 Peach On plum rootstock only – St Julien A Pear Quince A Fig IN POTS ONLY Cherry Gisela 5 Plum St. Julien A 
f) Using M26 apple as an example: On a 5 rod plot, 8 trees in two rows of 4, spaced 4 metres apart and 1.5 metres from the boundary. On a 10 rod plot, 16 trees, two rows of 8, same spacing. On a starter plot, 4 trees, 2 rows of 2, same spacing. 
g) Plot holders must undertake to compost or remove windfall fruit. Fruit must not be left to rot under trees. 
h) Where permission is granted, the plot holder will be expected to adhere to the aforementioned conditions. The Committee reserves the right to withdraw permission and order the removal of the tree(s) if the plot holder consistently fails to adhere to the conditions. In serious cases, the Committee may refuse to renew the plot holder’s membership of the Allotment Society. 

5. At present no poultry, rabbits or livestock of any kind may be kept upon the Allotment. 
6. The plot must be kept clean and tidy and in a good state of cultivation. 
7. Plot holders must not part with the possession of the plot or any part thereof. Subletting is prohibited and will result in repossession of the plot. 
8. Plot holders may bring dogs onto the site. However, dogs must be on a lead at all times, kept under strict control, secured and confined within the boundaries of the plot holder’s plot. 9. Buildings or structures may not be erected on the plot without prior written consent of the Committee. ‘Solid’ or ‘panel’ type fencing is NOT PERMITTED. 
10. Rubbish may not be dumped on site, except reasonable quantities of manure for cultivation. 
11. Plot holders must maintain paths and edges of the allotment plot. 
12. Plot holders must not hinder free passage on site by narrowing or restricting paths with hoses, tools etc. 
13. Plot holders must keep the base of boundary fences and hedges clear to facilitate maintenance. 
14. Plot holders must not leave hoses running and unattended and the use of sprinklers is expressly forbidden. Wherever possible, plot holders should use draw and use water from their own water butts. Filling water butts from the communal water supply is permitted. 
15. Plot holders must undertake not to interfere with the plots of, or steal items and produce from, other plot holders. 
16. In the event of any dispute between allotment holders that dispute shall be referred to the allotment committee whose decision shall be final. 
17. Members are not permitted to light bonfires on their plot under any circumstances.
18. All plot holders will be obliged to abide by the rules as amended from time to time by the Committee. Rules and any changes thereto will be published on the website and displayed on the Noticeboard. 

Tenancy of the plot may be terminated by the following:- 
1. Receipt of notification by Tenant. 
2. The death of a Tenant. 
3. If the Committee is satisfied that the plot is being neglected after a written request to clear, tidy up or attend to overgrown or nuisance trees has not been satisfactorily responded to. 
4. If the rent is in arrears for a period of more than twenty one days. 
5. If the tenant fails to comply with the terms of the agreement. 
6. The tenant moves and resides over 1 mile from Parishes of Ford, Climping and Middleton-On-Sea. Any decision of the Chairperson and Committee to terminate a tenancy is final.