Allotmenteers to protest over ‘draconian’ new rules

Growers from across Bristol’s allotments are coming together on Wednesday to protest the council’s proposed new allotment rules and rent increases.

In December, Bristol City Council announced plans to increase the rent and limit what can be grown on allotment sites owned by them.

They argue fees must be raised to maintain the service, to ensure plots are brought back into action and to address the waiting lists.

But growers argue the new proposals are “draconian”, “out-of-touch” and “discriminatory” towards people that may not be able to afford allotments or do not have their own gardens.

A group of allotmenteers have now formed a campaign group, ‘Bristol Allotmenteers Resist’, in response to the proposals.

Around 200 people attended their first meeting in January at St Werburgh’s Community Centre, and the group now has around 500 members.

Campaigners are concerned about the negative environmental and social impact the new rules could have, as well as what they describe as the “poor” conduct of the council’s consultations.

They say only half the plot holders involved in the campaign group have received official notice of the council’s consultation.

Bristol City Council has now extended the consultation until the end of January, but the group is calling for the consultation to be paused until after the local elections.

They claim the council is “hastily trying to rush” new rules before the pre-election period starts on March 28, and are calling for a “fairer, more participatory approach that has first engaged with allotment users, site reps, and community growing projects to better understand the needs and benefits allotments bring to the city.”

Bristol Allotmenteers Resist say only half of growers have received an official notice about the proposals

Dom Francis, of Bristol Allotmenteers Resist said: “It is clear there is very strong opposition to both the proposed new rules and rent increases.

“Numerous organisations and community gardens have written publicly of their concerns, that the new rules and charges for ponds etc are potentially damaging for wildlife in this city, and contradict the council’s own commitments towards the environment, nature recovery, and inclusion.

“There have been no site specific wildlife surveys or nature conservation plans published or even proposed, just a one size fits all approach that pits wildlife against food growing.

“We would be very happy to participate in a process following the elections to create a vision of Bristol’s allotments fit for the future, where there is adequate time to really listen to the multiple benefits allotments bring to this city, its people and its wildlife.”

Protesters plan to gather at City Hall on Wednesday at 5.30pm, to coincide with a second Allotmenteers Forum meeting.

Bristol Allotmenteers Resist say they are also seeking legal advice as to whether a legal challenge can be brought under Section 10 of the Allotments Act 1950.

All photos: Martin Booth

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