Dear Resident
I am contacting you because the property you live in backs onto the garden space highlighted in green on the map above.
As you may know, this space – owned by the City Council – has been unused and left to grow wild for many years, having formerly been an allotment and smallholding site in the last century.
It has been left unused, partly because it is a difficult site to access and partly due to a campaign which followed a planning application in the 1980’s to build on the site which established its value as a green space and place for nature.
Early last year, a group of local residents approached the council requesting that the site should be opened for public access as a community garden, growing or recreation space and I have been working with this group and speaking with residents, relevant council offices and those with helpful expert advice to understand what this site is and how it may be used.
Comments overleaf summarise the options which are being explored and describe the current preferred option for the site with some questions and space for your thoughts.
Although I have had many conversations about the site, this is the first structured attempt at engagement and aimed only at those living on properties which boundary the site, as I feel that your views are critical in guiding next steps in exploring the potential of this space.
I am grateful for your time in responding to it.
Simon Bannister
Brighton & Hove City Council Community Engagement Team
To help understand the space, the council Biodiversity Officer has produced a short ‘snapshot’ assessment of the site which it will be helpful to consider before completing the survey. This can be viewed HERE
This survey has also been posted in all addresses which back on to the site. A paper copy can be downloaded HERE
Hanover & Elm Grove Communities Forum 