Allotment changes could let people keep caravans
BBCCurrent allotment tenants could be allowed to keep their caravans on plots under proposed rule changes designed to make them more "manageable".
Durham County Council bans caravans from being kept on allotments, but a review of its policies could see those who currently have them allowed to keep them there until the end of their tenancy.
The new rule is part of several which could be introduced following a consultation with allotment tenants.
The council's cabinet member for communities and civic resilience Nicola Lyons said the proposal would make the rules "much clearer".
"The changes will help to keep plots manageable, promote animal welfare and balance the need for fairness with keeping each site tidy," she said.
"We would encourage anyone who has an allotment or has an interest in allotments to have their say on our proposed changes to county-wide rules."
What could change?
The proposed changes would cover all allotments owned by the council and could see revisions made to the co-worker registration system, which allows friends and family to take over a plot if they have helped maintain it for five years.
The council said the current system had "caused upset where plots hold emotional significance" and co-workers had not met the requirements to take over them.
Allotments are very popular and more than 2,000 people are on the council's waiting list for one.
Other changes would see the mandatory minimum amount of each plot used for growing fruit and vegetables reduced from 75% to 50%, while fruit trees would not be allowed to take up more than 25%.
Rules around how animals are kept will also be reviewed, with larger structures being allowed for those who keep pigeons.
The consultation will close on 1 February.
