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
Contact us
If you can help with our recommendations for NI policy, please get in touch with [email protected]