Community growing projects Guidance for towns and parish councils

This guide has been produced to help town and parish councils advise and guide those who would like to make an application for a community growing project on Shropshire Council land. It provides general advice on how the process will work, please note this is a new project and therefore guidance is likely to develop as we deal with more applications. It also provides useful links to organisations that may be able to offer further assistance. The role of the town or parish council is fundamental to the scheme being successfully implemented. 

Step by step process guide

A community member or group asks their town or parish council if it will support their application for a community growing project on Shropshire Council land within their parish area or proactive town and parish councils can propose suitable land within their parish and see if they have community support to develop a project on it.

The town or parish council will check:

  • If the land is owned by Shropshire Council by consulting our webmap
  • Whether the proposed scheme meets the eligibility criteria in the policy
  • If the site is suitable for growing produce taking into account its history, position, size etc
  • Whether they endorse the use of the land for community growing
  • Whether adjacent landowners support or object to the proposal
  • Whether the group proposing the project have the capability to manage it successfully
  • The location of utilities using:
    Digdat for water services in the Severn Trent area (charges may apply)
    LSBUD for gas and electric services (initial searches free)
    Welsh Water for water services in the Welsh Water area. 

The town or parish council will submit the application on behalf of the community group.

We will then check if the land is available to be used for the project and that it is considered suitable. This will include consulting various Shropshire Council departments including Planning, Highways, the Tree Officer, Ecology team, Grounds Maintenance and Public Protection.  If soil tests have not already been undertaken and are required, these will need to be undertaken by the group making the application. If all responses are favourable, we will ask the town and parish council to invite the community group to submit a management plan and more details regarding their proposal.

The town and parish council will assess whether the management plan is viable and sustainable, and whether they are prepared to support it and if so, submit it to us. We will then assess the management plan and, if approved, will draw up the licence agreement for the town and parish council and the community group to sign. The initial period will usually be five years but will be renewable if the project is successful.

The town and parish council will ensure the group has public liability and products liability insurance.

The town or parish council will be required to monitor the progress of the project should it be granted permission. This will include regular monitoring to ensure the terms of the licence are adhered to and that the scheme progresses as planned and the community are involved as agreed. Any issues or concerns should be reported promptly to us along with details of any actions taken to address them so that the project is successful. 

An annual report giving details of community engagement activities, management/membership of the group, site maintenance, group equipment, structures on site, summary of activities/events, funding, health and safety (risk assessments, incident/accident records) and insurance will be required. By submitting the application on behalf of the group the town or parish council is confirming their commitment to undertake this monitoring and that they will provide an annual report to us.

Resources
  • Trees, woodlands and hedges
    Advice and guidance on trees, woodlands and hedges from Shropshire Council
  • Set up a community garden
  • Cultivation Street
  • Garden communities toolkit
    Government information about how to plan, design and develop a new garden community
  • Garden Organic
    Organic gardening advice to enable organic gardeners to focus their energy into increasing the natural health of their soil, choosing appropriate plant varieties, and working with nature to produce a healthy and productive garden
  • Sustain
    The alliance for better food and farming. The organisation advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity
  • HSE: Information about health and safety at work
    Health and safety advice and guidance
  • The National Lottery Community Fund
  • Sensory Trust
    Promoting and implementing an inclusive approach to design and management of outdoor spaces, promoting richer connections between people and place, and an equality of access for all people, regardless of age, disability or background
  • Soil Association
    A charity campaigning for planet-friendly food and farming through a number of campaigns
  • www.thrive.org.uk
    A charitable organisation whose activities are primarily focussed on championing the benefits of gardening to individuals and organisations, as well as teaching techniques and practical applications so that anyone with a disability can take part and enjoy gardening

Utilities
  • Digdat for water services in the Severn Trent area (charges may apply)
  • LSBUD for gas and electric services (initial searches free)
  • Welsh Water for water services in the Welsh Water area