The rents we charge for our allotments will be changing from December 2026
Why do our rents need to change?
The rents we charge for our allotments have not changed for a number of years but the costs to run and maintain the allotment sites have steadily risen over time.
In a recent review, it was found that our current rents have fallen out of line with other, comparable allotments provided by other Town and Parish Councils in Cornwall:
| Current prices | Penzance Council | St Ives Town Council | Ludgvan Parish Council | Newquay Town Council |
| Full Plot | £30 – £32 | £46 | £38 (in 2025) £40 – £50 (from 2027) | £50 (size dependent) |
| Half Plot | £18 – £24 | £23 | – | £25 – £35 (size dependent) |
| Refundable deposit? | No | £75 | £50 | – |
In order to ensure our allotment provision remains sustainable into the future, the Council’s Leisure & Amenities Committee requested a review and have decided a new pricing format which will be introduced at the December 2026 renewal. This means that the pricing for the upcoming season remains unchanged.
What will the new rents be?
From December 2026, the new rents will be as set out below:
| Plot type | Rent |
|---|---|
| Full Plot (on a site with water) | £50 |
| Full Plot (on a site without water) | £45 |
| Half Plot (on a site with water) | £30 |
| Half Plot (on a site without water) | £25 |
We will also be charging a refundable deposit of £60 for new tenants. The deposit is required to protect against any costs incurred when an allotment is handed back to us in a poor condition and requires clearance work before we can let it out to a new tenant.
Moving forwards
To try and avoid large jumps in pricing in future years, the new allotment rents will be linked to the annual Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figures.
FAQs
When will the price change come in?
The new rents will be payable from the December 2026 allotment renewals.
Will I need to pay a deposit if I am already a tenant?
No. The refundable deposit will only be charged to new tenants who take on an allotment plot from December 2026 onwards. The deposit will only be payable from when the new pricing comes in (December 2026) and when an allotment is offered.
Why are the prices going up?
The costs of maintaining the allotments, including tree and boundary hedge work and allotment clearances when a tenant leaves, have all gone up whilst the allotment rents have stayed the same for more than 10 years. Our allotment prices have also fallen out of line with the average allotment prices with our neighbouring councils.
Why are there now two prices for allotments with and without water?
Utility costs have risen consistently over the last 5 years and Penzance Council needs a contribution from tenants on sites with water to cover the water bills and to contribute towards repairs to taps and pipework.
What if I don’t use the water onsite and use water butts?
As there is no way to tell who is using water on the site, all tenants on a site with a water supply would need to pay the same amount. Should the site water usage drop as a whole (this is monitored periodically by the Council) as a result of all tenants adopting water butt storage solutions, there may be an opportunity to explore the removal of taps and pipework in the future to remove the water charge element.
Will there be price rises in the future?
Whilst we cannot rule out price rises in the future – linking the new pricing structure to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) means there will be smaller increases. This will mean that the income generated from the allotment more closely matches the rising costs of delivering our allotment service.
I’m on the waiting list, if I’m offered an allotment plot before December 2026, what will my rent be?
You will be charged a proportion of a year’s rent for your plot using the existing prices. Then, from December 2026 you will be charged the new price for your plot.
