Consultation launched as council looks to increase allotment fees by over 33%

Local residents are being asked their views on plans to increase allotment fees by over 33 per cent.

Moor Nook Allotments is one of 35 similar sites across Trafford © Life in Sale

Trafford Council, which provides 35 sites containing almost 1,500 plots across the borough, is proposing to increase the fees it charges allotment holders following a rental charge review in the autumn. A consultation is seeking representation from the service users (allotment holders) and other interested parties.

The council is proposing that the annual allotment rental charge be increased in proportion to the rate inflation that has risen between 2014 and 2024 – a period during which allotment rents have not changed.

The charges would therefore rise from £104 to £138.80 for full plots and £52 to £69.40 for half plots.

It is however proposed that the council continues to provide a 50 per cent discount for people over the age of 60.

Cllr Rose Thompson, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Safety, said: “Allotments promote physical and mental wellbeing and allow people to grow sustainable food sources and other plants and we want to ensure that as many people as possible are able to access them.

"Since we last set our fees, inflation has gone up by more than 33 per cent and that is having an impact on the service.

“Therefore, we are looking to increase the rents and we are urging as many people as possible to fill in the consultation survey as soon as possible to give their views.”

The consultation runs until 14 January 2025.