Angry allotment holders fight proposed 300% rent rise (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Halton allotment holders form Facebook group

6:50pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

INCENSED allotment holders have vowed to fight Halton Council’s proposed 300 per cent rent increase, as revealed in last week’s World.

Representatives of the borough’s 15 sites were warned that their rents could rocket from £31 a year to £100.

Growers have joined forces on Facebook to form Halton Allotment Group.

Justine Teeling, aged 41, of Arkenstone Close, Widnes, who started the Facebook group, said: “Eating virtually straight from the ground, there really is no comparison with anything you can buy.

“You would not believe how incredibly sweet sweetcorn is when you eat it straight from picking it.

“Councils can’t arbitrarily raise the rent to a level people can’t afford.

“£100 a year is ridiculous, making the financial benefits of growing your own food totally negated.”

The charity Scope and Halton Hospital physiotherapists use plots at Haddocks Wood to give people exercise, confidence and the chance to develop social skills.

Dave Briscoe, chairman of Haddocks Wood Allotment Association, said: “The hospital uses their plot to put therapy back in the community. Patients who have had strokes and heart attacks love coming down here.”

Paul Wright, Halton Council’s divisional manager of the open space service, told allotment holders: “No decision has been made yet.

“The price of a plot has been set at a rate that does not cover the cost of operating the allotments for many years.

“The council is faced with a stark choice, raise them to a level that covers costs, or cut services in another area.

“At present just what the increase will be has not been agreed. The council will take into account affordability when it considers the issue.”

Halton Allotment Group is on www.facebook.com/groups.haltonallotments