Eviction or creation

[digmore]

Is it easier and cheaper for a council to evict  plot holders, to reduce the waiting list for plots than create new site ?

Digmore

[digmore]

[pumkinlover]

From my (limited) understanding of council run sites the opposite is true and many "non gardening" plot holders are left on the site till it plots become overgrown.
This sets the site on a downward spiral till it has no waiting list.
Self management helps prevent this (if done properly)

[Ellen K]

That has been my observation too - that it is incredibly difficult to evict absentees who get the non-cultivation letter then do sufficient to pass an inspection then abandon their plot and repeat this process year after year.

We had a "new broom" type a few years ago who made a determined effort to evict people whose plots were just non-cultivated and one of the plotholders actually complained to his MP.

As for setting up new sites, given that other services are being withdrawn because of lack of money, I don't think we can really expect councils to make that a priority.

[gwynnethmary]

We've had a lot of activity recently around our plot- the new broom from the council is sweeping clean, lots of visits have been made, and "letters" gone out. We  have finally got someone on the previously ignored plot next to us who actually seems to like digging!  He's also installed chickens, which makes the place feel more friendly! The guy on the other side is doing a lot more too.  New fencing has gone up where there was none, and lots of rubbish taken away.  We know that this is in preparation for a rent increase, but it's still good value for a hobby that's so healthy and enjoyable.

[digmore]

Thankyou all for your input.

Digmore.

[cornykev]

Like PL says people don't seem to get thrown off because they come back after a warning and just do enough to pass the next visit.   :(