Plans to nearly double allotment fees deferred

The scale of the changes and the speed with which they were due to be brought in were heavily criticised

A city council has deferred making a decision on increasing allotment fees after strong criticism.

Proposals to almost double some charges in Bristol went before a committee on Friday morning. Under the plans, an annual fee would rise from £50 to £89.

The scale of the changes and the speed of introducing them by September 2025 were criticised by people in the public gallery and several Bristol City Council councillors.

The authority will debate the proposed fee increase again in October.

A report to the public health and communities policy committee recommended that the rent rises come into effect in one big go in September 2025, with the cost of some plots more than doubling, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council's Labour group had tabled an amendment, which would stagger the rises over two years, but this was blocked by legal officers.

The committee will reconvene in October to make a final decision.