THE cost of a plot at Old Basing allotments is set to more than double this year - and allotment holders have expressed their upset at the ‘unacceptable’ decision.

At a meeting of Old Basing and Lychpit Parish Council’s facilities management committee in November, the decision was taken to review the pricing structure of the allotments, due to “a huge discrepancy in the sizes of plots” and other factors, and the new prices were ratified by full council in December.

However, it wasn’t until earlier this month that allotment holders became aware of the details of the review and of the resulting ‘huge increase’ in fees.

Elspeth Lee, who has had an allotment since 2003, told the Gazette that in her case, the cost of her allotment will be £55 with an over-60s discount of £10, when it was previously £30 plus discount. This means that in September she will pay an annual fee of £45 - more than double what she paid last year.

“A lot of the issues that the council are having to deal with make sense. For instance, the allotments are different sizes,” she said.

“The issue I have is the huge increase. Over the years, the allotment rents have gone up by two or three pounds which is understandable. Last year was the biggest increase of five pounds, which on £30 is quite a lot but, again, that was understandable.

“When the cost more than doubles, that’s when it becomes an issue. If it was a house or a garden that someone was renting, it would make national headlines!”

The steep rise comes at a particularly difficult time, with many people struggling financially, but needing the physical and mental health benefits of tending to an allotment more than ever.

Elspeth said: “Pensions and salaries certainly haven’t gone up by that amount! There are costs involved when you get an allotment. As far as hobbies go, you don’t spend a great deal, but some people will find that increase a bit of a struggle to find.

“It is a healthy pastime and it gets you out in the fresh air. And there are dividends. It’s something which should be encouraged.

“We can to a certain extent socialise while we are there. I think in lots of ways they are a valuable asset.”

Elspeth has an allotment side-by-side with her friend, and they together grow a huge selection of fruit and vegetables - “everything you can imagine” - including apples, pears, various berries, rhubarb, cabbages, onions, leaks, beans, and much more.

“It’s fresher, nicer, as you know where it’s been. And it’s very satisfying!” she said.

Tracy Braybook also has an allotment, and says the recent announcement has "added insult to injury" on previous price rises. 

She said: "For myself it will mean to cost of my half plot will have doubled within two years. I am now having to give serious thought as to whether to give up my plot come renewal time.

"Little justification was given for this price increase, certainly it cannot be said that the Parish council has invested in much needed improvements to fencing and security. The gates are often poorly maintained meaning that they are left open and there have been regular reports of produce gong missing from plots. Some sheds have been broken into. There is little that we can do to prevent this as the fences are low and there are no padlocks like can be found at other allotment sites in the borough."

Elspeth attended this month’s meeting of the facilities management committee, held on January 19, and raised her concerns.

She said; “[The new prices are] more than double and by any standards that's a price hike that's unacceptable, unreasonable and unfair.

“I am wondering how the parish council can justify these huge increases? This is the first I knew of these increases, which really are huge, and it just doesn't seem right.”

While the new prices will take effect immediately for new allotment holders, they will not come into force for existing tenants until September. However, Elspeth suggested that a more gradual increase in price over a number of years may be more appropriate.

The review undertaken by the parish council compared Old Basing with other nearby allotments sites, and concluded that the current prices were lower than the “going rate”. However, the comparison sites selected included Hook and Chineham, but excluded equally close sites such as those in Sherborne, Sherfield on Loddon, and Basingstoke itself.

It also failed, according to the allotment holders, to consider that some sites have more facilties than Old Basing, including toilets and security.

“The argument that we are paying considerably less than we should be doesn’t really hold water,” said Elspeth.

This was echoed by Chris Hall, who also attended to raise questions many allotment holders have.

Chris said: “In correspondence at the beginning of the year, it was stated that the report would be giving a meaningful benefit to the site for tenants. There’s a question as to just how this increase will give us a meaningful benefit.

“There is also anxiety over why, considering covid and the rest of it, that there should be such an increase, and quite a bit of upset that there's been no involvement of anyone on the allotments on this.”

Sandra Tuck, clerk to the council, advised attendees that the council would respond to their individual concerns via email, and also that a letter advising allotment holders of the changes will be sent out shortly.

Councillors discussed the letter, with the general consensus being that the charges were justified.

Cllr Roger Doust said: “While I agree it’s a huge increase in charges, if you look at the percentages, it’s not.

“It works out as between 87p a week and £1.34 a week. I’m sorry but £1.34 a week, no matter what your income, is not excessive.”

Cllr Peter Bloyce added: “There was a review of the allotments and the sizes, and some of the increases will be due to the review of the sizes. Some people will have been getting away with a lower price for a much larger plot.”

Speaking of necessary improvements to the site, Cllr Alan Renwick said: “Yes we do want to make changes for the allotments, but to be honest they are going to have to take place over a period of time. For one, the money from any new charges isn’t going to come in until September 2021 and into the months of 2022. So when we talk in the letter of ‘significant improvements’, and ‘extensive works on the site’ at the ‘earliest opportunity’, I would ask that the emphasis on improvements be changed so the emphasis is on that they would take place over a period of time, if only because we don’t immediately have the money.”

The committee agreed to approve a draft letter produced by the clerk, but to ensure the wording made clear that promised improvements to the site could not be carried out immediately, due to funding restrictions.