A PETERSFIELD allotment owner has been warned to "shape up or ship out" as lengthy waiting lists mean messy plots will no longer be tolerated.
Members of Petersfield Town Council's grounds committee were presented with the case of two untidy plots at Sheet allotments.
In a letter to councillors, Coby Bulmer, of Durford Road, said: "I acknowledge that my plots have become untidy and need a good clear-up."
Bob Ayer said that was an "understatement", as councillors took note of photographs of the plots, which contained items such as stacked up milk crates.
Town clerk Neil Hitch told the meeting that the allotment association was being stricter on the quality of plots because of the length of waiting lists.
Grounds chairman Hilary Ayer said: "A lot of allotment holders were unhappy about the state of some of the allotments. They are passionate about getting the people on the waiting list to have one."
Councillors were wary of organising a skip to collect rubbish from the site for fear of setting a precedent, and they noted that it was obvious from her letter that the tenant was a keen allotment user but noted that her plots did not look like others on the site.
But members were loath to terminate the tenancy of the plots and it was felt that improvements should be requested and agreed with the tenant and reviewed in the spring.
n Tilmore allotments could be set for a new tap, after a request from allotment holders. Petersfield Town Council received an estimate for £694.18 for the installation of a new tap and the grounds committee recommended putting in a bid for developer's contributions to pay for it.