May 18, 2012 
Food growing areas encouraged in Brighton & Hove new builds
Developers in Brighton & Hove are being urged to include food growing areas in the city’s new building schemes.
Brighton & Hove City Council is believed to be the first authority to officially call for such food growing schemes as space for crops on rooftops, balconies and walls.
The local authority is keen to point out, however, that this initiative is not compulsory.
Cabinet councillor for regeneration Amy Kennedy said: “We already have strategies in place aimed at encouraging food growing and releasing more space for people to use. So it makes sense to see how every new development can contribute to these goals.”
Brighton & Hove City Councillors believe that the current high demand for allotments in the area will mean that new builds with food growing areas will have a real selling point.
Councillors are keen on the initiative, as food production typically accounts for about a quarter of an individual’s ecological or environmental footprint. As well as fewer food miles, spin-off benefits are thought to include better physical and mental health from the activity involved, increased biodiversity and a greener urban landscape.
The draft advice note says food growing is equally suitable for residential, commercial and public buildings. It cites the example of the One Brighton residential flats development near the city’s main station. There, residents are growing food on 28 rooftop mini-allotments. Demand for space outstrips supply. Watering is largely met by rain collected in butts. Garden waste is combined with residents’ kitchen scraps, composted, and re-used on allotments.
A report says special systems are now available to grow crops such as salads and herbs up walls. Fruit or nut trees can be used in landscaping schemes. Atriums can be used as greenhouses. Balconies and their railings can support salads, herbs or be used for training small fruit trees.
The guidance has been written by Food Matters and Brighton & Hove City Council as part of the Harvest project, a pioneering move to spread food growing throughout the city.
Do you grow your own food? Would you if you had the opportunity? Do you think food growing ideas are a good thing for Brighton & Hove? Have your say by leaving your comment below.
Photo: Sbocaj
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