Community gardens get help from new initiative

Community gardeners in Wales are to get more room to grow, thanks to the launch of a new project to tackle a shortage of available land.

The Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) in Wales, which is to be funded by a £600,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, will provide specialist advice on finding and securing space for growing food.

“Accessing land for community growing is a major hurdle for many Welsh communities. CLAS will act as a catalyst for both community groups and willing landowners to find the support they need to bring more land into cultivation,” said Katie Jones, Development Manager for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens’ Welsh programme Tyfu Pobl, which will manage the project.

“This will engage more people in the production of local food in Wales, helping to reduce our impact on the climate and contributing to the creation of more sustainable and resilient communities.”

The project, which already operates in England and Scotland, is aiming to support the creation of 75 new growing projects across Wales and to help 5,000 people involved in community gardens, farms, allotments and orchards whilst providing health and nutrition benefits to many more.

Specialist advisors will help community groups to navigate through the challenges associated with finding land, negotiating a lease and obtaining planning. Free online information and advice will also be provided by the programme, which is to run for five years.

http://wl.communitylandadvice.org.uk

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