NEW charges for sheds, greenhouses and polytunnels are “unfair”, say a group of allotment-holders.

Worcester City Council, which owns about 1,000 plots across the city, has brought in the levies, including a one-off charge of $10 for new sheds, and a sliding annual charge for polytunnels or greenhouses of up to £20.

The polytunnel charges are said to be because of increased water use, although this fact is disputed by a group of tenants.

Holders at the Perdiswell site, off Droitwich Road have signed a 60-signature petition drawn up by Dan Robb objecting to the charges.

“We’ve got the majority of the site’s tenants to sign, some who don’t even have tunnels, but think these charges are just totally unfair,” said Mr Robb.

Anyone who puts up a shed from now on will be charged the one-off fee, along with new tenants who take over plots with existing sheds.

The owners of all greenhouses and polytunnels larger than 8ft by 8ft will be charged each year from now on.

Among those to sign the petition is former civil engineering contractor David Patrick, who has had an allotment for more than 20 years.

He said: “Of course rents have to go up, that’s understandable. But if you’re going to put charges on every little thing, that’s wrong. It’s shabby treatment, and shows how far the relationship between us and the council has broken down.”

Eric Winder, of Astwood Road, Rainbow Hill, who faces a charge for a new polytunnel, challenged any claim that he used more mains water than other plots without tunnels or greenhouses.

Councillors discussed the charges with the allotment forum before they were introduced, but the allotment forum says although it agreed tenants using more water should be charged, it never agreed to any other levies.

Allotment forum chairman Andy Allen said: “The other additional charges have been introduced by the council without reference or consultation with the forum.

“We will discuss the introduction of these charges at our next meeting.”

City council parks and cemeteries manager Ian Yates said: “The charges on larger greenhouses recognise that you use more water if you’re growing all season.

“The one-off shed charge is to pay for the register of sheds we keep, which helps us identify which assets are on which plots.”

The petition will be handed to Councillor Roger Knight, head of cleaner and greener at the council.