Birmingham Council allotment price increase

Ernisius

Birmingham council are increasing the rental price of allotments from £24 to £75 over the next three years.

I am considering if it is still vfm at this pprice.

You can buy a lot a veg for £75.

What are other councils charging.

Thanks

enrich100

That works out at £1.40 a week, I know thats alot more than your paying now but to be honest you don't get much fruit and veg for that and that before you take into account quality

Ernisius

Well, it's not really £1.40 per week because you only get produce from an allotment for about half of the year.

And you the cost of seeds,fertilizer,tools,shed,material for paths etc also needs to be taken into account.

But, the quality though is far superior to any that you buy in a supermarket. I was surprised at much better everything tastes. We eat 2-3 times as much fruit and vegetables now i grow it myself.

If it's treated as a hobby then its probably still good value for money, but if the goal was to get affordable fresh fruit and veg, I am not sure if it isn't now cheaper to just go an buy it.

And this is a massive price hike. I just wondered if this is comparable to other councils or is Bham just leading the way.

I am also concerned that this trend of massive price increases may continue in the future, and I therefore don't want to invest any more cash improving my plot in case I can't afford to keep it

irishwexford

Makes me realize how lucky we are. We only pay £15 for 20 rod. Lots of 10 rod plots at just £7.50. Wkhat a bargain and we have lots of taps on site.

Lotus-eater

Ernisius wrote: »

Well, it's not really £1.40 per week because you only get produce from an allotment for about half of the year.

Well there's your problem Leeks, sprouts, cabbages, PSB, kale, winter lettuce, perpetual spinach, all can be grown and eaten over the winter.

Ernisius wrote: »

If it's treated as a hobby then its probably still good value for money, but if the goal was to get affordable fresh fruit and veg, I am not sure if it isn't now cheaper to just go an buy it.

Maybe, but equivalent? Naw, go and buy very fresh organic veg (if you can) and then work out how much it costs.
Plus you can't just buy alot of the stuff you can grow, where did you last see a fresh tomatillo for sale? Yet you can grow them easily and quite honestly, nobody should be without them for salsas.

But you are right, you have to enjoy it, £75 is alot and I would think twice about it if I was starting, but I do it in my own garden so it's not an issue for me.
Are they vastly oversubscribed?

savemoney

Whilst I agree its a big jump bare in mind some allotments are subsided by the council tax payer

Also there are very large waiting lists I been waiting for 16 months now and still no where near the bottom still in high 90's on list.

So if you give it up you might not get chance again for years

I agree its a big increase but its not just about saving money, its also about getting super fresh products and having enjoyment

darkblue_2

Glasgow have a number of council run allotments. A busy one in Queens Park runs at £35 annually for a full plot, half that for a half plot, but the waiting list is very long.

zarazara

£75 still seems good value. Think of the price of a punnet of gooseberries,strawberries or raspberries. Herbs are expensive too but many can be easily grown. Then theres the social aspect,meeting other people,discussing topics,having something to do. excellent value I'd say,and a whole heap cheaper than the gym.

Ernisius

savemoney wrote: »

Whilst I agree its a big jump bare in mind some allotments are subsided by the council tax payer

Well they say that they subsidise it, but I'm not sure what they actually do, I've never seen any evidence that the council do anything.
They are probably paying 20 people £40k a year to administer collecting the rents.

savemoney wrote: »

Also there are very large waiting lists I been waiting for 16 months now and still no where near the bottom still in high 90's on list.

This year it was £24 and there were 5 plots available for me to choose from.

At £75 the site may well become underused. Then the council will have an excuse to take the land to build houses on.

olly300

Ernisius wrote: »

At £75 the site may well become underused. Then the council will have an excuse to take the land to build houses on.

Get in touch with the local papers.

Start a petition

Complain to your local councillors

caz07

here in leeds i pay £35 a plot including water, but next year its going up another tenner, has your council got earmarked for something else?

trying to force you out maybe...:(

Caz x