AN ALLOTMENT holder has told of his ‘disgust’ as Bromsgrove District Council increase annual fees by a third.

Robert Hitchman has rented an allotment plot on Watt Close for around eight to nine years but is shocked at the council’s sudden hike in prices.

Robert, aged 66, says he has paid £45.80 per year for a large plot for several years but from October 1 the price is increasing to £68.80.

“We are going into a recession at the moment and the council wants everyone to go outside and exercise which is why I rent out the allotment, but now they have increased the prices,” said Robert.

“I have been told there’s around an eight-year waiting list to get a plot but there is a lot of empty plots which are all overgrown.

“Why can’t they let those plots out and then the prices won’t go up?

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Watt Close allotments. Watt Close allotments.

Robert who is retired said he hasn’t received any letters from the council and was made aware of the price increase by a sign on the allotment gates.

“If the price is going up so much this year, what are the chances it will go up by even more next year?” added Robert.

“I was expecting the rent to go up by a small amount but not by this much.

“The majority of people who rent plots are pensioners and our pensions have not gone up by that much.

“I am disgusted.”

A Bromsgrove District Council spokesperson said: “The increase is for this financial year and is the first for three years.

“We have a waiting list for allotments and, we encourage those lucky enough to have an allotment to use and enjoy it as much as possible.

“If any allotment holder has discovered that allotments are not for them, do contact us so we can offer the opportunity to somebody else.”