Plans to double the rent at allotments may leave some people unable to afford to keep a plot.

The proposals are part of Haringey Borough Council’s budget, which is due to be passed at the end of this month.

There are currently 27 allotment sites in the borough and it is estimated the increase in rents will raise £60,000 for the authority.

Tulio Moglia, site secretary of two sites in the borough, said: “If this increase does go ahead I think quite a few people will stop doing it.

“I understand times are hard for the council but people are going to be pushed out of the site. Pensioners aren’t going to be able to afford extra money.

“The whole point of allotments is to give people the chance to grow extra fruit and veg to supplement what they might not be able to afford. If they double the cost people might as well just buy the food.

“It is not fair that they are trying to get more money from other sources and pushing people off the allotments.”

Paul Hamilton, from the Haringey Allotments Forum said: “The forum is very concerned about plans to increase allotment fees by 100 per cent.

He added: “The forum strongly opposes the proposal to increase allotments fees above the rate of inflation to make a profit out of allotments.”

Wood Green and Hornsey MP Lynne Featherstone has hit out at Haringey Borough Council about the rent increases.

She said: “Allotments are vital community resource – preserving green spaces, benefiting the environment and encouraging healthy eating. Under no circumstances should they be used solely as a revenue generator.

“Haringey Council should be encouraging residents to use allotments, and making them accessible to everyone. It’s hard to see how doubling fees will achieve this.

A spokesman for Haringey Council said: “The proposed increase in allotment fees is one of a number of budget proposals to be decided at the next full council meeting on Wednesday February 27.

“This will include a discussion over the way in which any additional revenue will be allocated.”