Welshpool to freeze ‘popular’ allotment fees

Welshpool’s green fingered community won’t be needing to dig deeper for their allotments next year after councillors heard how popular they were becoming, but more were still needed to be rented out.

As we reported yesterday, the Town Council’s allotment sites at Welshpool Hospital and Burgess Lands have finally picked up, running at about 75% capacity.

Organisations such as the Probation Service, as well as families and individuals of all ages have been taking them up, the Town Council was told during a discussion at the Services & Property Committee last night.

Plots currently cost £50, or £25 for a half plot, and it was reported that a lot of produce is given back to the community via initiatives like Meals on Wheels and Give’n’Take.

“If it’s working, then we should keep the same fees for next year to try and fill them,” said Cllr Sally Fitzgerald.

Back in 2021, the allotments were a sticky issue. Welsh Government legislation meant the Town Council had to provide them, but their £23,000 approximate cost and a slow take-up made it a tough sell to Welshpool tax payers.

But last night’s report was warmly received by councillors, with both the Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, and his deputy, Cllr David France admitting they had plots. They both abstained from the vote after declaring an interest. Cllr Morag Bailey, who didn't vote after arriving late to the discussion, had also shared a picture of the goods that her allotment had produced.