We set out recommendations for a community growing benchmark in Northern Ireland. Key standards were successfully included in Belfast City Council's community plan.
About this work
The report provides a framework for policy development on the amount of land dedicated to community growing. Aimed at Councils and decision-makers, the work involved Northern Ireland's 11 Local Councils.
A key recommendation is a target of 1250sqm (0.3 acres) community growing space per 1,000 households in a Council area. Community growing spaces could include allotments, community gardens or community orchards.
We aimed to:
- Influence community growing policy in Northern Ireland
- Provide recommendations for Local Council Plans
- Set out a benchmark ahead of key policy and elections
- Highlight how community growing can help climate, biodiversity and social inequality
- Lay the foundations for a properly resourced sector
- Build on work by organisations like Incredible Edible and Community Gardens Ireland
Project partners
- Northern Ireland's 11 Local Councils
- Urban Agriculture Consortium
- Development Trusts Northern Ireland
Project outcomes
In 2024, Belfast City Council included our recommendation of adopting a standard of 1250sqm community growing space per 1,000 households in the new community plan. They also adopted a right to Grow policy.
Read takeaway tips from the report >
This is a really important report for people and places in Northern Ireland. The report’s recommendations could help us all in the UK see what a step change in engaging people in their own well-being looks like. Fantastic piece of work.
Pam Warhurst CBE, Founder of Incredible Edible
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