Grow your own scheme launched
The Development Trusts Association is being enlisted by the government to provide temporary leases to allow community groups, led in some cases by those in housing association jobs or community leaders, to make use of brown field sites that are awaiting development.
Regeneration magazine reports that the 'Lease for Land' scheme will give local residents and community groups the opportunity to create mini allotments on the land, as well as providing legal assurances to both tenants and landlords.
The scheme, announced yesterday by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, is part of an overall strategy to encourage people to utilise the outdoors and build community spirit, by growing their own food.
The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens will help to carry out the day-to-day running of the initiative and is currently working with a number of local councils to decide where to pilot the project - which will introduce a national ''community land bank'' to facilitate partnership between community groups and landowners.
Denham stated of the scheme: ''More and more people want to grow their own food, 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.''
Author: Sarah Howard
Keywords: Housing Association Jobs