Horbury campaign to take over unwanted land
OVERGROWN plots of land could be transformed into vegetable and fruit patches if campaigners get the go-ahead to set up a community food co-op.
Andy Austerfield and his friends have set up Home Grown Horbury in a bid to tackle growing waiting lists for allotments.
The campaign aims to persuade Wakefield Council to allow people to grow their own produce on unused patches of council owned land.
Mr Austerfield, 42, of Netherton Lane, said: "The project works through community growing licences.
"They would allow local groups to apply to use council plots by entering into a simple standard agreement with the council and paying a nominal fee of around 10.
"It's win-win situation. So many people want to grow their own food but don't have the space and in return the council have someone to look after the land and make it look more attractive."
There are currently 61 people waiting for an allotment in the Horbury area.
Calderdale Council have already adopted a scheme of community growing licences and Mr Austerfield hopes Wakefield Council will see the benefits.
The first place Home Grown Horbury hope to cultivate is the historic walled garden which lies in Carr Lodge Park.
Mr Austerfield said: "There's half an acre of land there and it's been overgrown for about 20 years. "This has made it a magnet for antisocial behaviour. Our aim is to have to make it active again by having people there and bringing it back into the community."
For more information contact Mr Austerfield on 07971 098510 or e-mail andy@incredible-edible-wakefield.co.uk
Or sign the petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/growinginwakefield/
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Saturday 19 May 2012
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