Mansfield District Council has cleared five large allotment plots in Mansfield Woodhouse and is offering 10 half-sized plots for rent.

The plots, which are about 125 square metres, are at the Whinney Hill site and cost £20.50 a year to rent – half the cost of a full sized plot (£41).

Full and half-plots are also available at Priory Road Allotments, Mansfield Woodhouse.

The council cleared them of rubbish, large weeds, sheds and greenhouses last year. Each plot will come with a compost bin provided by the council and will be rotivated for new plot holders.

Coun Andrew Tristram, portfolio holder for the environment and wellbeing, said: “Gardening is well known to be a good form of exercise and is also a very therapeutic pastime – beneficial for the mind as well as the body.

“These half-plots are a good way for new plot holders and gardeners to give allotments a try before committing to a full plot. It’s also a good option for people who want allotments but find the full plots are too much to cope with.”

Philip Cooper, chairman of Mansfield Woodhouse Garden Holders Association, which administers and manages the allotments in Mansfield Woodhouse on behalf of the council, said: “Having an allotment is a fantastic hobby.

“There’s nothing better for the soul than getting out into the fresh air and getting your hands dirty. And the bonus is you can grow your own fresh food, too.

“Allotments are a great leveller. They bring together people from all age groups and backgrounds and can foster a sense of community with experienced gardeners passing on their knowledge to younger or less experienced ones.”

Mansfield District Council provides 614 allotment plots across 14 sites across the district. They are at Brougham Avenue, Bellamy Road, Water Lane, Shaftesbury Avenue, Ravensdale (Hibbert Road, Sherwood Rise (Debdale Rise), Forest Road, in Mansfield.

In Mansfield Woodhouse there are plots at Birding Street, Kingsley Avenue, Longyards, Northfield, Park Hall Road, Priory Road, and Whinney Hill, New Mill Lane.

Some of the sites are 100% let but others, including Shaftesbury Avenue, Ravensdale, Northfield, Priory Road and Whinney Hill, have vacant full and half-plots.

To register for a Mansfield plot, call 01623 463292, and for Mansfield Woodhouse, call 07873 502470 or email [email protected]

Pictured is Barbara Berry on her allotment in Mansfield Woodhouse.