It’s an ambition that fits right in with green living, self-sufficiency and a resident’s desire to clean up an overgrown eyesore.

But Peter Rylands’ wish to grow a few vegetables on derelict council land at the rear of his Poole home has a prohibitively expensive price tag attached.

He is happy to clean up the 16ft by 27ft wasteland, squashed between two rows of garages behind the Jersey Close home he shares with wife Debbie – and pay £120 a year rent.

But he does draw the line at forking out a £500 administration fee to Borough of Poole for the privilege.

“I don’t see where the £500 comes from,” said Mr Rylands, 49, whose immaculate garden with pond and stream, includes potatoes and leeks planted out at the front.

“The council has their own team of solicitors. Surely their job is to draw up these arrangements.”

Mr Rylands said he wrote to the council proposing they be allowed to rent the land after spotting rats.

“If it was my garden they would be writing to me saying ‘Get it cleared’,” he said. “It’s double standards.”

Mrs Rylands said: “We have been here 12 years and in that time it has just got worse and worse.”

Ward councillor Charles Meachin, who is fighting the couple’s corner, said: “They are honest, law-abiding citizens and they are being penalised. They just want to grow a few potatoes. It’s so ridiculous.”

However Borough of Poole, for whose allotments there is an 18-year wait, has defended the fee.

“This land is not allotment land and the council must put a licence in place to allow Mr Rylands to use the land,” said Alan Jones, head of asset management and property services.

“The council supports people who wish to grow their own vegetables but equally it must conduct transactions regarding its assets in a business-like way.

“The fee of £500 covers the necessary expenses only and does not generate a profit for the council and is believed to be fair.”