[Limey153]

Hi there folks, little question here for you. I have recently acquired an allotment and I would like to put a shed on the plot. However my plot is surrounded on nearly all sides (just one gap in the southwest corner), I want to place the shed in a spot that will have the least impact on anybody else in terms of casting shade onto their plots. With the plot being so surrounded it seems that wherever I place a shed i'm going to be casting shade onto somebody. Looking at the image below where would you kind folks place it? I have marked in blue where my preference would be since i already have raised beds on the south side, but obviously my priority is to create the least amount of agrivation to anyone else.

[simonwatson]

Is there a general convention already on the site? If so, follow that. The North corner is best for your plot. The South corner is best for your neighbours.

[mumofstig]

The bottom white corner would give the least shade, to others - as it would all fall on your plot.
If you put it in the right-hand blue corner, I don't think you'll shade anyone too much, the shade mostly falling on the path; unless, of course, you're putting up a ginormous shed 

[devonbarmygardener]

All our sheds are either top or bottom of the plots - apart from my immediate neighbours who plonked their shed in the middle right up to the edge of my plot and their greenhouse at the bottom, again - right to the edge of my plot.
If they'd put it the other side it would have just been next to the carpark 

You are a very thoughtful person. If it is just a small shed you could put it back to back or side by side with someone elses??
Do you have to have permission??  Our site is council run and you're supposed to submit a plan of where you're siting a building for approval - somehow don't think my neighbours did

[beesrus]

I would put it in the East blue corner. Most early/late low sun and hence longer shadow will fall on paths, and at least a corner affects 2 plots to a smaller degree than affecting one plot only for a longer portion of the day, as I think Barmy is saying. Also, see what they're actually growing there at this time. If parts are obviously overgrown and/or underused, that would be the place.

Shade is unavoidable I'm afraid if sheds are allowed, as with greenhouses and Polytunnels, and I know of no one that puts their shed in the middle of their own plot, that just doesn't happen. Fortunately the paths tend to take up most of the shade during the important 4 months when the sun is high. If in doubt talk to your most affected neighbour and go with the convention of the site.... just look around at how everyone else has done it. I have my neighbour's shed shading a few square feet of my plot for 3 hours a day, but it's no big deal, plants will still grow with those figures. The sun does move quite a bit . Just don't make it huge, width, or height.

[JohnB47]

I would go for the north corner of the blue area. The shade it will cast will be spread over paths and the corners of two adjacent plots, rather than a larger area of one plot.

Some shade during the day isn't always a bad thing. I've noticed, in really dry spells, that whatever I have growing in the area that my shed casts does quite well, cos the sun isn't baking the moisture out from mid morning to mid afternoon.

[andy dewar]

Have a chat with your neighbours or just follow the norm

[gavinjconway]

Follow the others.... as to where they have theirs..

[mrsbean]

sorry, it does happen. my shed is in the middle of my plot. apple tree, fruit bushes one side. small beds herbs, flowers other side. outer ends are for my rotation and i have no problems.

[Limey153]

Cheers folks, that really helps. 

[pigguns]

ooh 'spot the shed' competition....
I had shade my neighbour, I was concerned but turned out he was pleased for the extra shelter it afforded.

[devonbarmygardener]

sorry, it does happen. my shed is in the middle of my plot. apple tree, fruit bushes one side. small beds herbs, flowers other side. outer ends are for my rotation and i have no problems.

Can't upset anyone that way
Sounds like quite a nice idea actually - to sit in the middle of your plot and survey your hard work