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Disused housing estate land is turned over for allotments
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor1 Jul 2009
A London borough is to free up land on its housing estates to be turned into allotments.
The move, in support of the Evening Standard's Grow Your Own campaign, will see some 100 "mini-allotments" created in Kensington and Chelsea - the first plots in the borough.
Council chiefs hope it will improve the appearance of the estates as well as help residents become more self-sufficient. They have identified eight sites so far and work has begun on transforming the land into growing space.
The areas include a disused tennis court in St Quintin's Avenue, North Kensington, and land next to blocks of flats. Nicholas Paget-Brown, the council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "We were looking at how we can use the derelict and unused land. We do not have any allotments but we realised there was an appetite among residents to grow their own food."
Each area will be split into dozens of plots a few metres wide and will be given to residents' groups and youth clubs. Planters 50cm high are being built to grow the fruit and vegetables in.
Plot users will be encouraged to grow a wide variety, from basics such as potatoes, tomatoes and onions to more exotic produce such as chillies, peppers, and pumpkins.
"We've been amazed by the response from residents," said Mr Paget-Brown. "We are already looking for more sites, and we would urge landlords or others with derelict land to get in touch."
The council has been collaborating with environmental charity Groundwork, and will employ a community gardener to advise locals on what they can grow. Terry Oliver, Kensington and Chelsea's environment manager, said: "We want to create a real sense of community. Gardeners will work with residents, teach them all aspects of gardening, and arrange trips to pick-your-own farms or well-known gardens."
The eight sites chosen so far are Lancaster West Estate, Winterbourne House (Portland Road), Hudson House (Cornwall Crescent), Treadgold House, Clydesdale House, Clement House, Portland Road open space, and St Quintin's Avenue, where the council is working in partnership with the NHS.
