massive Allotments Rents rise

I have just heard that my local council (Cannock) is removing the subsidies for all allotment holders from next year they will rise from £13 per year to a massive £70 per year . I wondered what i can do about it and also would like a comparison of what your paying. I think the only way i can fight this is by presenting the council with rates what others are paying. The council are wanting us to be green but is £70 per year is not worth it let me know
your views
andy warrington

I'm on a newly established (opened last August) Council site where there are 14 plots, with 3 or 4 more to be added as soon as the private contractors (home builders) get their act together.  Each plot is only 100 sq yards, but the rent for the entire site is just £135 per annum.  We've just twisted the Council's arm a bit cos it's a new site and there'll be 2 or 3 years needed for soil improvement, weeding, removal of stones, etc, so they've further agreed to half rent for the first 3 years.  So that's just £67.50 for 17 or 18 plots @ 100 yards apiece.  Site is securely fenced with lockable double (vehicle access ok) and single gates.  Brand new steel cabin with rest/chat room, tool room, small kitchen (sink unit and wall cupboard) and WC.  The cabin is fully wired to elecky with strip lights and plug sockets.  Water is plumbed in to sink and toilet and there's an electric hot-water geyser (which we've disabled via removing the fuse in the switch in case someone leaves it switched on).  We are however responsible for paying for all water and electricity used, but as the water board haven't yet got round to fitting the water meter, we're on free water as yet.  Yes, everyone has filled their water butts to the brim - while we can.  I knew we got a good deal and reading this thread am more convinced of it.

We've formed our own association and opened a bank account and all agreed to pay £30 each per annum for membership, so have built up a nice kitty so far.  The Council still haven't drafted or sent the lease for us to sign, so as yet we haven't paid a bean in rent.  

Ours is run by our parish council in a small village in somerset and we pay a massive £4.00 per year for a plot 70ft by 20 ft. The parish council told me they want to try and keep it at £4.00 a year for the foreseeable future. There are only 5 plots and we have no running water or any other extras with that.

£70.00 a year seems extreme, but it is still just £1.37 a week. You couldn't get a pint of beer for that these days.

Hi,

We currently pay £29.00 for 250 msq. The site is fairly well protected with water tanks. I'm not sure if the council deliver anything, I've heard they deliver leaves sometimes. There is a portoloo, which I've not used yet, but at least you can go if you get stuck!

Arls

10 pole for £22 ... our increase was notified as 50p for next year ... think I'm doing well by all accounts.  :oops:

I live in South Shields and just got an allotment 3 months ago and the rent here is £85 a year. There are 165 plots on site with a secure fence around the site and water tapes placed around the site. :shock:

I pay £10 a year for a 40yd x 15yd plot with water and security gates at each entrance,no matter what you pay it is well worth it the way food prices are going up each week.