Weeks ago it was a derelict wasteland, best known as a hang-out for gangs of intimidating youths.

But now this space on a west London estate has been transformed into a thriving community kitchen garden, growing everything from aubergines to pumpkins.

Over the last five months, 30 residents of the Church Street Estate in Paddington have turned the area into "grow-bag allotments" where more than 40 types of vegetable and herb thrive in giant containers.

The project is one of the first 50 vegetable-producing schemes approved by Mayor Boris Johnson's Capital Growth campaign. It aims to develop 2,012 community food gardens in the capital. Church Street residents have cultivated produce including marrows, sweetcorn, radishes, green beans, pumpkins, beetroot, sweet peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, lettuce, spinach and cauliflowers. They are also growing more unusual plants such as African basil, okra and dhaniya coriander from Bangladesh.

The plants are being grown in 30 huge containers, filled with 30 tonnes of soil, in the 300-square-metre space between high- and low-rise blocks.

Locals say the project has brought the community together. Amy Jannehs, 42, said she had considered leaving the estate because of the level of anti-social behaviour, but stayed because of the allotments' success.

"A number of young people use to hang around in this space intimidating residents but since we transformed this area things have got a lot better and it feels more like a home," she said. "So much energy goes into it and most importantly it gives young people something to do." Retired youth and community worker Mike Wohl, 59, hopes to replicate the project across Westminster, including a rooftop garden in another Church Street block and a canal-side plot in Maida Vale.

He said: "I want to involve young people in something constructive, and this has had such a positive effect on the community, bringing people together as they see the seeds beginning to sprout." Student Ramiz Kamal, 17, who grows vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, rocket and lettuce, added: "My whole family is involved and this scheme has really spruced up the area.

"It is a complete project that you follow through from start to finish and you feel very satisfied and it is something I am learning from." Philippa Roe, Westminster council's housing chief, said: "We are very proud to be supporting this scheme. This is an initiative that should be greatly admired and one we would like to see expanded to benefit more people.

"Allotments are not only a great way to relax, but a good way of producing healthy, delicious food at low cost."

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