Allotment holders vowed to continue campaigning after discovering fees could be increased for a second year running.

Gardeners were outraged by Richmond Council’s proposed 5 per cent increase in allotment charges for 2014-15, which follows a fee hike of 46 per cent last October.

Chairman of Borough of Richmond Allotments Group (Brag) Tim McGough spoke against the proposals at an environment, sustainability and community overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Monday, January 27.

He said the council agreed to meet to discuss allotment holders’ tenancy agreements, which he hoped could be amended to include a service level agreement and remove a clause that allowed rents to be increased at short notice.

After the meeting he said: “We would like to get that clause taken out so that we can be consulted properly.

“At the moment it is very hit and miss and a bit of a patchwork service.

“We just want the council to provide a reasonable, consistent and value for money service.

“We are going to put them under even more scrutiny to make sure they deliver a good service.”

If the charges are agreed allotment holders would see their annual rent of £13.50 per 25sq m increased to £14.20 and concession holders would see their charges rise from £6.75 to £7.10.