Nottingham City Council is planning to impose sweeping changes to how their allotment tenancies are handled and, most importantly, how much people are expected to pay for allotments. Allotment owners are objecting to these changes on a number of grounds and we want to highlight some of these to others who may be thinking of objecting.

The proposals are set out in 4 sections: A - Using your plot, B - Ending your tenancy and the role of NCC, C - Rents & D - Plot allocation.

As we see it, there are problems with each section of the new guidelines.

Section A proposes that maintenance of hedges and gates, previously the responsibility of the landlord (NCC) will now be  transferred to the plot owners. Owners will be expected to keep hedges to 1.5m in height themselves. For those who have substantial hedges and no access to the appropriate equipment this will be very difficult.

Section B would make it possible for NCC to pursue the tenant for costs if they do not leave their plot in good condition. There is no definition of what "good condition" constitutes and this could be open to abuse by Council officials to make money. No provision is made for people who inherited plots with rubbish, asbestos and other problems.

Section C - The percentage increase in rent (180%) and water charge (150%) far exceed the rate of inflation and come as NCC relieve themselves of some maintenance duties to the allotments (e.g. hedges, gates). This is completely unacceptable. It is contradiction to NCC's supposed respect for diversity of allotment holders as it actively discriminates against those on low incomes. If a 25% discount for those of limited means was considered necessary on the current ground rent rate of 7p/sqm then surely it is a farce to consider the new discounted rate of 16p/sqm any kind of 'discount' at all. These changes encourage a gentrification of the allotments by the replacement of those on low incomes (who benefit most from a plot of land) by those who are wealthier and whose need for an allotment is not as great.

Section D - It does not seem reasonable to introduce new rules to make it harder for organisations and community groups to rent allotments. These groups can provide allotment space for more people than individually rented plots. They provide easier access to allotment holding for those who are not ready to take on their own plot. Collectively owned plots also allow the passing on of expertise and knowledge to new people. It is unlikely that there are many groups who want to own allotments and it makes sense to prioritise these over individuals as they enable access to allotments for more people.

The net effect of the proposed changes would be to make it harder for community groups and individuals on low incomes to rent an allotment whilst opening up access to middle class people who have a lesser need for an allotment. Meanwhile the regulations regarding allotment use are being made very prescriptive, meaning that it will be easier for NCC to get rid of existing tenants whilst keeping their money. This is totally unacceptable and amounts to a gentrification of the allotments of Nottingham.