Kellett Street allotment plot thickens

Kellett Street allotments after the completion of Phase 1 - 11 plots and path

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Community volunteers have been joined by council workers to transform barren land on Kellett Street into an allotment with plans for more than 30 plots, a community orchard, shelter, fruit patch and beehives.

Phase one of the Kellett Street Community Growing Scheme has already been completed, with debris and vegetation cleared by local residents and the community payback team and turned into 11 new allotment plots, including two with disabled access. Phase two will see a further 20 plots created by the end of March, cultivated by local residents and managed by members of the scheme.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for housing and environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Providing more allotments for residents is a council priority, and thanks to a tremendous effort from members of the scheme, local residents and the community payback team, we have transformed the site from a derelict piece of land into a space that everyone can benefit from. We will also be working with local schools and community groups to use the space for picnics, storytelling, future events and activities.”

Nasser Afzal, project manager, said: “Our vision is to complete the project with colourful flowering, a community orchard, beehives, a greenhouse and a fruit patch full of blackberries, grapes, blueberries and strawberries. Users of the scheme will also be able develop new skills in bee-keeping, landscaping, wildlife watching, fruit production, pruning and maintenance of the fruit trees.”