Story: Louise Johnson
A group of local residents have received £2,500 from the Community First grant, plus a further £1000 from Arches, to make improvements to a piece of land at the top of Wensley Street, which has often been used as a place to dump rubbish.
The group has formed links with Owler Brook School, whose children will have the opportunity to leave their classrooms and make the most of the space. The excitement the project has generated has led to the possibility of more projects with Owler Brook School and perhaps some with Whiteways School too.
With the help of Groundwork (the environmental group), the local residents propose to build wooden raised beds and apply trellis to the brick walls to grow climbing plants or fruit trees.
Half the site can be used for growing food, depending on what the residents want.
To keep costs low, most of the ideas plan to improve the already existing infrastructure. Groundwork has also suggested “the finished plan should definitely include some permanent features, for sustainability, low maintenance and easy interaction.”