With the first allotments in Alconbury Weald flourishing and the waiting list growing, the team has been working on the next allotments and how they can respond to asks from the community for shared space and engaging with nature.
In the autumn, the community team at Alconbury Weald held a consultation on the detailed design for new allotments and a community garden coming forward at Alconbury Weald. The team is working with environmental charity partner Groundwork East to design and deliver the new amenity for the new community, and the consultation followed feedback gathered from residents to concept drawings shared earlier in the year.
The new area has been designed around traditional allotments, with additional space for community gardening and growing projects. The original concept plans included a roofed pergola for community meetings and workshops, a children’s gardening zone, storytelling area, a “berry alley” with trellises, raised communal beds and accessible plots, alongside traditional plots for individual growing.
Following feedback on the concept drawings, the plans were enhanced to include more fruit trees, water butts, a shared compost heap and space for shared storage. In addition, an area will be laid to grass for future expansion to give new residents an opportunity to get involved with the community garden, so it can evolve over time.
The designs are currently being finalised, with Groundwork East due to start delivering them in Spring 2024.
