‘Grow your own’ brigade to dig deeper into pockets

CARRICK’S allotmenteers are facing a 10 per cent hike in prices for their Eden plots.

The recommendation was made at a meeting last month of Carrick Council’s Parks, Countryside & Amenities sub-committee.

Members were told the figure had not increased since 2008 and the proposal was bringing the location into line with other local government facilities.

Returning to the matter at Monday’s Development Services Committee meeting, Councillor Billy Hamilton expressed concern that the above-inflationary increase might deter people from taking allotments.

In response, Norman Houston, Development Manager (leisure), reiterated there had been no rise in three years and he believed the change from £50 to £55 would not be a deterrent.

Requesting information on how much the allotments cost to run and how much they bring in to council, Councillor Hamilton called for the recommendation to put on hold until further details are provided at a future meeting of the local authority.

Related topics: