BDP supported Russell Street Community Garden to develop plans for a new covered education area, designed to provide a sheltered space for learning, community activities and engagement in all weather.

Support included helping to shape the project, working through practical requirements around planning, land ownership and insurance, liaising with relevant partners, and assisting with the Coastal Communities Fund application.

As part of the planning process, specific requirements were identified around the materials to be used for the roof, helping ensure the proposed structure would meet the relevant planning conditions before the project progressed.

The project successfully secured £5,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, with a further £1,000 in match funding awarded through the SSEN and SSE Thermal Micro Grant schemes.

So what changed?

What began as an idea for a covered shelter has developed into a fully funded, deliverable project. The new area will provide a sheltered space that can be used for education, community activities and engagement throughout the year, helping the Garden increase the range of activities it can offer and making better use of the space in poor weather.