Locals stopped site being designated for housing by Brent Council

Green-fingered Sudbury residents have celebrated the revival of a former derelict allotment site.

Locals gathered to celebrate the re-opening of the Elms Gardens allotments which were abandoned 25 years ago.

The site is being heralded as a shining success story by the council but its future didn’t always look so fruitful.

In 2009, the land was reported as derelict and its fate was nearly sealed when the council approved plans to convert the area into housing.

But Sudbury and Elms Residents Associations were determined to save the plot and began clearing the site, create new fencing, composting and allotment plots for food growing.

Cllr Paul Lorber said it was a great example of council spending.

He said: “Local residents have worked very hard to turn a total wilderness into productive allotments and gardens for the benefit of the community.”

Friends of Barham Library are pleased to support this great community project with gardening books”

Cllr Lorber joined Francis Henry from Friends of Barham Library to present plant-whispering locals with an allotments handbook.