A GREEN SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY
We are creating an accessible, biodiverse, wildlife rich, sustainable, edible forest garden with off grid facilities for groups and the community to enjoy and improve wellbeing. Our five acre field will have accessible pathways to enable those with physical and learning disabilities to get out into the countryside in a safe, secluded place, which offers opportunities for talking, learning, recreation and refection. We are creating habitats which meet local biodiversity action plan objectives and include wildlife ponds to support great crested newts along with a range of other aquatic species including amphibians, invertebrates and plants. Our Field of Life will be a Lowland Meadow to attract a wide range of pollinator species and will be home to a new buttery bank to attract declining species and help people learn more about the environment. The Forest Garden area will consist of edible plants and will be created as a series of fruit tree guilds demonstrating the value of herbs, medicinal plants, fruit bushes, climbing plants and perennial vegetables. Groups will enjoy a range of activities to improve their mental health and well being including pond dipping, photography, art therapy, mindfulness, yoga, tai chi and other gentle outdoor forms of exercise and craft activities. Our vision is for an affordable, beautiful and inclusive outdoor space with high quality facilities including an outdoor kitchen area with a pizza oven and accessible toilet which local organisations and clubs can hire for exclusive use to meet their own objectives and improve the health and wellbeing.
Our project is connected to water in a number of ways, in particular the creation of the large wildlife ponds as some three-quarters (more than a million) of Britain's ponds have been lost over the last hundred years. The ponds will have accessible paths, with a pond dipping platform so that everyone can enjoy them. School groups will be able hire the site for learning and recreation and we are working with a local teacher to develop lessons about sustainability using the ponds as a focal point. We are planting drought tolerant plants and the Forest Garden is designed with perennial plants, which cover the ground and avoid the need for watering in dry summers. Our facilities will have rain water harvesting and grey water recycling in order to reduce the amount of clean water needed to sustain the site. We aim to have interpretation boards on the site which explains how people can reduce water use in their own homes through clever planting and other ways to save water.
FOREST GARDEN MASTERPLAN
forest garden ORIGINAL layout
The garden design is inspired by the intricate and practical internal movements found in expensive watches. The layout is designed to provide accessible paths, with 100 fruit tree guild gardens within the garden. Over 100 varieties of edible plants, shrubs and trees will provide a wonderfully sustainable agroforestry project, which is designed for education, enjoyment and engagement. Below is the original design concept for the garden.
