An illegal mini ‘village’ of wooden huts has sparked fury on a North London allotment after they were built with sofas, kitchens and even double glazing on plots meant for growing vegetables.
Dozens of large wooden structures – some with working chimneys – have sprung up in Enfield decked out with a host of home comforts and even play areas for children.
One tenant at Barrowfield Allotments claims the ramshackle chalets have been built for socialising with people throwing BBQs and parties for their friends.
But green-fingered plot holders are absolutely furious and claim they were constructed illegally without planning permission.
According to Enfield Council, who own the site, tenants are only allowed one small tool shed measuring up to 2.75cm in length and 2.10metres in width.
But photographs taken by MailOnline show a number of structures which could be in breach of the tenancy agreement.
One frustrated plot holder fumed: ‘There are a lot of illegally built structures there, there have been for years.
‘I looked into the tenancy agreement for an allotment plot, the Council really has let inspecting allotment sites go to rack and ruin.’
The wooden structure (pictured) that is being investigated by Enfield Council. It has a front door, windows, a patio and a brick chimney
A view inside the wooden structure being investigated by the Council. It has a kitchen and dining table
The water tank and chimney on the side of the structure which is being investigated by the Council (pictured)
An aerial view of Barrowfield Allotments where tenants can be seen socialising around a table of food (pictured)
Some of the structures which have been constructed at Barrowfield Allotments
There is even a children’s play area with a plastic slide and a trampoline attached to one of the plots at Barrowfields Allotments in Enfield, North London
Barrowfield Allotments is popular with North Londoners and prospective growers would need to join a waiting list to get a plot
The council has recently launched an investigation into a ‘small house’ built on one of the allotment plots.
It has a front door, a patio and double glazed windows, as well as its own brick chimney, a water tank and trampoline. Inside the house there is a kitchen and large dining room table.
One man, who has a nearby plot, told MailOnline it belongs to ‘two families that have plots next to each other’ and they visit on a weekend.
He added: ‘It’s like a village here.’ They [the families] are here from seven o’clock to eight o’clock. They have a BBQ, a picnic and then they go home.’
According to the council website, tenants are allowed to have one small garden tool shed, one polytunnel or greenhouse, compost bins and fruit cages on their plots.
Tenants are not, however, allowed dwellings or summer houses, chalets, verandas, canopies or kitchen facilities.
There are no available plots at Barrowfield Allotments at present and prospective growers must join a waiting list.
Tom Malone, who has been secretary of the site for the last 40 years told MailOnline: ‘It looks like a house to me and it’s way too big, but the thing is there’s a lot of people who have things as well.
‘This particular one looks like a house with brick. It’s also a place for cooking, but several have places for cooking which they are not supposed to have.
Tom Malone (pictured), who has been secretary of the allotment site for 40 years, said the hut is often used by a family for holding bbqs are parties
Inside the structure being investigated by Enfield Council which shows a dining table and kitchen (pictured)
Another structure which has been built at the allotments and has windows, as well as a front door and dining table inside
‘They’re not living in it, but they use the shed for socialising, sitting drinking tea and coffee and eat food and all that.’
‘They all gather in groups and have food and socialise.
‘They look after their plots, most of them are alright, but there are some who refuse to lock the main gate and some don’t take their rubbish away.
‘Another problem I have is that they are handing over plots to family friends which means they are coming in the back door and not going through the waiting list.’
One Enfield resident criticised the Council’s management of the site, saying they had ‘let inspecting allotment sites go to rack and ruin’.
‘The whole of Barrowfield allotments needs looking at from what I can see from walking around the perimeter of the site,’ they said.
‘Also no one is meant to be on the site after I think 10pm. I have walked down Salmons Brook after that time on numerous occasions and you can clearly hear people over there.’
Tents, caravans and campervans are also not permitted on the allotment.
The large site has 128 plots in total with structures of various sizes and one tenant said oversized structures had been thrown together on plots ‘for year’s
An aerial view of some of the structures which have been constructed at Barrowfields Allotments
An aerial shot of the wooden structure (centre) which is being investigated by Enfield Council
Another structure which has been constructed on a plot and has a trampoline (pictured)
The council has strict guidelines on what plot holders can have on the allotment, left is an allowed structure and right is an illegal shed
Rubbish which has been left outside the entrance to the allotment site (pictured)
The website reads: ‘Failure to comply with permitted structure sizes, could result in a termination of the tenancy agreement.’
An Enfield Council Spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Allotments in Enfield are incredibly popular and there are substantial, proven benefits to tending an allotment.
‘As a result, we have long waiting lists for most, if not all our allotment spaces.
‘Once a plot is assigned, tenants are given clear guidance on how they should be maintained, used and to what standard.
‘The structure has been brought to our attention and we will investigate and take action as appropriate.’