Bristol allotments: Protesters gather outside City Hall as price hike agreed

Proposals to increase the cost of renting an allotment in Bristol have been approved at a council meeting this evening.

Campaigners have actively opposed the plans which will see fees more than double for some plots but the council says the allotments will still be heavily subsidised.

Bristol City Council has been hearing campaigners make their cases against the proposed rises.

Under the new proposals, which have been rubber stamped, allotment rental prices in Bristol are to more than double by 2026 as part of a new strategy to address waiting lists.

Updates to follow.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees told the meeting it was their responsibility to pass a balanced budget.

Councillor Ellie King, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Health and Communities, said: “The allotment service is in decline, going severely downhill. We want a good quality service and this will pay for an additional officer and maintenance.”

The meeting also heard that many people faced long waits for an allotment and the council wants to clear overgrown plots and speed up the process.

After the decision was reached allotment holder Holly Wyatt said: “I’m very disappointed the council has done this exactly as proposed.

“More than 75 per-cent of respondents to their consultation either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposals which the council has completely ignored.

“Our petition has reached 6,500 people which the council has also ignored.”