Allotment Holders are not being fairly represented

The recent rent rise fiasco showed how little representation allotment holders have. We were not consulted at all in regards to the proposed rent rise of 70%, even though we would have been severly affected by it. The same goes for the new stricter rules and policy changes which have been brought in. There was no consultation with allotment holders on that either.

Allotment holders can put in sometimes years of work and hundreds of pounds turning derelict plots into viable and productive allotments, and yet at the end of that, they have no rights over their allotments at all, and can be subjected to massive rent rises and changes in rules at the whim of the council. They can also be evicted without any independant overview. Where else is that allowed ? We have no 'rights', allotment holders have no implied 'ownership' of any of the work they may have done.

When I took on my plot, (back before allotments were as popular as they are now.. many were derelict) it was covered in brambles, nettles, ash trees, broken glass and rubbish. Over many years of hard work I have turned my plot into a productive allotment, but the council can just decide to increase my rent by 70% without any consultation, they can also change rules as they see fit and evict me without independent investigation. This does not represent 'social justice' at all.

Some community groups, who have transformed plots from basically 'rubbish tips' into productive plots, and which have been free for the last 10 years because of their valuable work, were going to be hit with bills of nearly £1000! They were not consulted about the planned rises.