Allotment rents in city set for huge increases

ALLOTMENT rents in Bristol are still going to have massive increases but these will be staggered over two years.

The first half of the rent hike will take place next year, and the second half will be introduced in 2026.

There are 4,500 allotment plots in the city and Bristol City Council has not increased the rent since 2018. There are also 6,500 people waiting for an allotment. While the council scrapped controversial changes to allotment rules, rent increases are still going ahead.

The allotment service was hit hard by austerity and government spending cuts, councillors on the communities scrutiny commission were told on Tuesday.

A growing backlog of repairs and years without rent increases has now left the service struggling to make ends meet.

Jon James, head of natural and marine environment, said: “We’ve had maintenance and staffing budgets reduced. That’s resulted in a decline in what we can actually do. We’ve looked at what investment we need to make so that we can start addressing the backlog of maintenance, like repairs to water supply and fences.”

A protest against the rent rises is planned tomorrow at noon.

Bristol Allotmenteers Resist said on social media the protest would be a “joyful and mischievous celebration of allotments and telling Bristol City Council they can stuff their excessive rent rises up their asparagus”.

Rent for a medium-size plot with water will increase from £70 to £113 next year, and then £156 in 2026. A small plot will increase from £50 to £69 and then £89. A large plot will increase from £85 to £117 and then £178.