The idea
Our exciting plan is to involve residents and groups in creating the Western Road Urban Garden in Southall Green. We will work with socially isolated Black Minority Ethnic residents, young people and vulnerable older adults to create an accessible community green space in an area that most local people are completely unaware of.
The Western Road Allotments are connected with nearby World War 2 bunkers but have fallen into neglect in the past few decades. The site is currently overgrown with weeds and bushes and has become a hotspot for drug users and antisocial behaviour.
The site covers 2600 sq metres and we will work with Ealing Council and Southall Transition to clean up the site and create a multipurpose community garden that will provide food, horticulture, leisure and community interaction.
As well as creating a future community orchard we hope that the site will have storage facilities, an eco-toilet, poly tunnels and act as a volunteering hub for this most deprived area.
What we'll deliver
- Clear derelict land
- Develop an Urban Garden with plants, trees and open space
Why it's a great idea
The Western Road Urban Garden project will transform a derelict allotment site in Southall Green into an urban garden space.
This is great for the immediate neighbourhood and would remove an eyesore and anti social behaviour hotspot. In return, we would work with local communities to create a wonderful and restful urban oasis.
There would be space for children to play safely and learn about food growing and looking after plants and act as an activity hub, promoting well-being for vulnerable older and BME residents in the area.
Charities helping poor and homeless residents would be supplied with freshly grown produce, providing healthy meals for vulnerable people.
The site is 15 mins walk from the huge Southall Gas Works development. Bringing this derelict land back into community use would provide green, open space for a whole generation of new residents.
Resident volunteering would increase by creating a 'Friends of Western Road' group to manage the site in the future.
Steps to get it done
- Create and distribute project publicity locally
- Buying equipment and materials need on site
- Site clearance commences and waste removal
- Instal notice board, bike racks and poly tunnel
- Dig and plant fruit and flower beds
- Installing water tank and plumbing
- New front gate and perimeter fencing repairs
- Urban Garden launch event with community
