Brighton and Hove to pilot ‘land bank’ scheme

Communities Secretary John Denham and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn have announced that Brighton and Hove is one area being sought to pilot a scheme where communities can gain access to more land for the purpose of growing their own food.

The concept of ‘Growing your own’ is very popular in Brighton where there are many people on a waiting list for an allotment such as is the demand for outdoor space.

The government proposals include working with the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens to set up a new national community land bank which will act as a broker between land-holders and community groups who want somewhere to grow food.

It has been announced that Harvest Brighton & Hove will be working with the council and other partners to explore the potential of setting up a ‘land bank’ over the coming months!

The ministers also announced that they would be supporting proposals put forward by Brighton and Hove City Council, and others, which include ensuring food doesn’t go to waste by clarifying that there are no legal restrictions on gardeners selling genuine surplus produce to local markets and shops.

Communities Secretary John Denham said: “From guerrilla gardeners to community growers there is a real keenness to combine 40′s style frugality and 70′s style good life ethics to meet 21st century demands for healthy living, cheaper meals and locally sourced food. More and more people want to grow their own but their efforts can be held up by a shortage of suitable land.

“We are making it easier for community groups and keen gardeners to access the hundreds of acres of un-used land.

“This will mean communities can grow their own food while brightening up the neighbourhood by turning unloved spaces into fragrant herb gardens and abundant vegetable or flower beds.”

This news comes on the back of a statement from council leader Mary Mears, which stated that BHCC was looking into the possibility of opening up patches of spare land to be used for growing crops. Read more on this news here.

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Posted by Joseph Lewis on March 3, 2010. Filed under Brighton and Hove News,Council News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry