THE MIDLANDS

Saffron Acres, Leicester, Leics

The Saffron Acres site started as a very small allotment where local people came together to learn gardening skills and socialise.

Now the site has expanded to around 13 acres. The reclaimed land itself was previously derelict and notorious for anti-social behaviour.

Thanks to the project, it is now an urban oasis full of environmental and educational features – and more than 3,000 people directly benefit.

The site has two polytunnels growing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, experimenting with unusual varieties – including their own local variety of plum, the ‘Syston White’. Recently, they have planted an additional 200m of native hedging to create a wildlife corridor.

This area also features a pre-Victorian field pond with a thriving population of smooth newts, beehives, a hazel and willow coppice, a bug hotel and a native wildflower meadow. JUDGES’ VIEW: This entry was incredibly impressive in terms of recent achievements. The last 12 months alone has seen volunteers adapt the space for wheelchair accessibility and add raised beds for working at different heights.

Cuttings of strawberry, grape, blackberries and loganberries have been planted out to increase the amount of food they can offer to local food banks.

Since the garden began, there has been an anecdotal decline in levels of anti-social behaviour in the area.