A PLANNING application for allotments in the Gilden Park estate has been submitted to Harlow Council.

The application states:

The Erection of Buildings (on land used for agriculture for agricultural purposes)

Gilden Park Allotments, has been provided to the residents of Gilden Park, by the developers (Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Barratts), without the ability to erect sheds or greenhouses.

This application seeks to obtain the permission for sheds and greenhouses to be erected within the site. A total of 58 sheds and 60 greenhouses.

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Introduction:

Gilden Park Allotments are located within the Northern part of the Gilden Park
Development, Gilden Way, Harlow. These allotments have been provided as part of the
build of the new development by a Consortium of housing developers, Taylor Wimpey,
Persimmon and Barratt Homes. The site consists of 29 full size plots and 2 accessible
raised beds. In January 2024 it was agreed that the Gilden Park Residents Association
(GPRA) would take on the management of the Gilden Park Allotment Site.

Current Situation:

The GPRA took handover the Allotment Site in February 2025. The land provided for the
Allotment site, does not hold any permitted development rights for the ability to erect
sheds or greenhouses and nor were such permissions obtained by the developers in the
initial planning phases for the allotments. Due to the large amount of interest from
residents of Gilden Park, a decision was made to split each of the 29 plots in half to
accommodate as many residents as possible. This has provided a total of 58 plots each
measuring on average 75sqm.

Proposal:

This proposal sees the request for planning permission for the erection of 58 sheds and 60
greenhouses. Should planning permission be approved this would allow each plot holder
to erect both a shed and a greenhouse on their plot in a specific location as shown in
supporting document “Proposed Layout” (also below) with the blue representing sheds and
the green representing greenhouses. A total of 58 sheds and 58 greenhouses on the plots,
with the addition of 2 greenhouses by the accessible raised beds, for the users of the
accessible raised beds.

Sizes, Dimensions and Location:

The sizes and dimensions stipulated within the planning application are; for sheds, each
with a maximum floor space of 2.3sqm and greenhouses, each with a maximum floor
space of 4.5sqm.

This is also covered within the Gilden Park Allotments Tenancy Agreement as follows:

Any building or any wire netting proposed to be erected on the Allotment Plot shall be so
erected only with the written permission and agreed location of the Association and shall
not exceed the following measurements:
a) Sheds shall have a maximum base area of 6ft x 4ft and shall not exceed 8ft at its
highest point.
b) Greenhouses and polytunnels shall have a maximum base area of 8ft x 6ft and shall
not exceed 8ft at its highest point

Prior to adopting the Gilden Park Allotments Tenancy Agreement, the GPRA carried out
visits to other allotment sites within Harlow. On other sites there was not a limit to the
number of buildings per plot or restrictions on where the buildings could be placed, their
tenancy agreements also stated all buildings were not to exceed a maximum base area of
8ft x 6ft.

The GPRA would adopt a more controlled policy than those established on existing
allotment sites in Harlow restricting the size, number and location of the buildings on site.

Visually this would present as a single neat line of small sheds and greenhouses in the
centre lines between plots. As a result, the site will be more aesthetically pleasing to those
properties which overlook the allotment site, rather than a patchwork quilt of greenhouses
and sheds across the site.

Regular site inspections by the Association will ensure adherence to the tenancy
agreement and those erected are also inline with the planning application, if approved.

Reasoning and Benefits:

Sheds: Sheds have a great benefit to an allotment garden, providing shelter from the
elements, an ideal environment for the growing of younger plants and seedlings protecting
them from strong winds, providing the ability to grow within the colder months, and a safe
place for personal storage.

Greenhouses: Greenhouses are vital for an allotment garden, providing a longer growing
season with many plants thriving within the environment of a greenhouse over the hot
summer months. It makes growing some crops which are impossible to grow in the UK
possible due to the hot climates within a greenhouse environment. They can also be used
for ‘over-wintering’, the ability to bring plants undercover over winter which would
otherwise be killed by frost.

Mental and Physical Wellbeing: The approval of this planning application will provide the
plot holders on site the ability to make the most of all seasons on the allotment site.
Providing vital outdoor activity and exercise which has a positive impact on individuals
mental and physical wellbeing. With many young families using the allotment site it is also
an educational environment where young children can learn about the development of
plants and nature. Improving their knowledge and understanding of how fruit and
vegetables are grown, cared for and harvested.

Ongoing Sustainability:

Rainwater Harvesting: as per the Gilden Park Allotment Tenancy Agreement all sheds and
greenhouses will have to be fitted with a guttering system to collect and store rainwater
for future use (Any permitted structure with a roof must be affixed with guttering and a
water butt / water collection facility).

This will not only reduce the volume of mains water
used but reduce the associated carbon footprint and costs to the plot holders. Rainwater
is crucial for sustainable and cost effective allotment gardening and will provide readily
available water in the event of hot summers and any potential hosepipe bans.

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For further details, go to https://www.harlow.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-permission/search-and-comment-planning-applications

Look for HW/FUL/25/00127