Worcester's allotment fees to rise £100 over three years

Running the allotments cost the council £115,000 last year (generic image)

Allotment charges will rise by nearly £100 over the next three years after councillors approved the plans.

Under the proposals for Worcester, the £71.70 it costs to hire a full plot this year would rise to £170 by 2026.

Running the allotments cost the city council £115,000 last year while it received £40,000 in fees.

The authority defended the price hike as it said its charges were cheaper than under other nearby authorities.

The plans would also see the hire costs for half-plots rise from £35.85 to £85 over the same time frame.

There will be a separate, optional charge of £15 next year for those wishing to use mains water at allotments.

The measures agreed would marginally reduce the subsidy for allotments - saving about £14,000 next year - but the yearly deficit would stand at £57,000 in 2024 and £23,500 in 2026.

'Right approach'

The authority's director of operations, homes and communities, Lloyd Griffiths, said the proposed fees were "very reasonable".

The price rise was the "right approach", council leader Marjory Bisset said.

But Green councillor Karen Lewing said she was concerned the planned water charge could not be enforced as allotment holders could use the taps without paying.

The system would rely on "trust and goodwill", the council said.

The council runs 23 allotment sites with nearly 1,000 full plots. There is a 300-strong waiting list and about 25 empty plots.