a day ago
Council-backed scheme encourages people to grow food on public land
A new scheme in Bury is encouraging people to identify and cultivate unused public land.
The Right to Grow scheme, backed by the council, Incredible Edible Prestwich and District, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and other partners, aims to "bring residents together, nurture local environments, and boost health and well-being across the borough", in the words of a spokesperson.
The initiative seeks to address the problem of lack of available land close to people's homes, which, according to a spokesperson, "can be an obstacle to more people growing [food]".
It has involved Right to Grow partners investigating planning and licensing issues, and has seen the development of a "food map" of Bury that highlights existing and potential growing sites.
The map is now live on the Incredible Edible Prestwich website at
A spokesperson said: "By making it easier to access land, the initiative seeks to foster a closer connection between people and the food they eat, while also enhancing biodiversity and greening urban areas."
Residents are encouraged to get involved through the project website, including by starting to grow their own food and helping to increase Bury's "Right to Grow" footprint.
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Cllr Alan Quinn, the council's cabinet member for climate change and operations, said: "Community food-growing is a positive benefit to Bury, and I'd encourage groups and individuals to get involved in the project."
Bury's director of public health, Jon Hobday, added: "Right to Grow will support more people to access healthy and nutritious food, share knowledge, and provide momentum for our good food movement in Bury."
More information is available at
