Lancaster-based Community Interest Company Local and Effective Sustainable Solutions has been successful in its bid for over £200,000 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food scheme for a new allotment site and food growing project, ‘Off the Ground‘.
The allotment site, on Ambleside Road, Lancaster, received planning permission last year and is likely to be open by June. There will be a community meeting to discuss the project once a project coordinator has been appointed.
“As well as providing a new allotment site, Off the Ground will help local schools and community groups with their food growing projects and encourage people to grow food in their own gardens,” explains Simon Gershon, a director of LESS. “The allotment site will have a communal tool store and polytunnel.
“Training on food growing will be available from the project workers. Growing more of our own food has benefits for the environment as well as our health, and we hope this project will make a real difference to the number of people in the district who are able to grow food.”
• LESS is currently seeking a project coordinator, project workers and an administrator for the project. Further details of these posts, and of how to register your interest in an allotment, can be found on the LESS website, www.lessuk.org
• If you are interested in having a plot on the new allotment site please email food[at]lessuk.org, giving your name and address. (Replace [at] with @).