Welwyn Hatfield residents have come together in an attempt to reverse the 200 per cent allotment rent increase. 

A petition has been started to put a stop to the price increase implemented by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. 

The petition intends to prioritise two parts – stopping the increase before the issue of invoices for 2023/24, and asking the council to fully consult with tenants on a fair and reasonable increase linked to the rate of inflation. 

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A spokesperson from WHBC said: “We know how important allotments are to our residents and we realise that this is a much larger increase than allotment holders have had before.  

“However, we have experienced significant increases in expenditure in the allotments budget, and those over 65 or those receiving full income support are still eligible for a 50 per cent discount. 

"We are one of the few councils in Hertfordshire to offer this discount, and overall, our fees are not the highest in the county.

                                                                                                         

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“The water usage, especially last summer, has been much higher due to the drier weather and this has significantly increased our costs.  

“Maintenance costs at allotments have also increased in line with our contractor’s costs. It is never an easy decision to increase fees, especially if they are larger than usual, but we need to ensure that we can continue delivering this valuable service in a sustainable way.” 

So far, 1,333 people have signed the petition. 

For more on the campaign, go to https://tinyurl.com/5h55js7y.