Opened in 2013 this development of 22 energy-efficient affordable homes in Swindon, between Bristol and London, includes a food growing community garden. The garden has helped create a social hub for people to meet, while bringing the many benefits of home-grown produce to residents.
The site is a joint venture between Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Raglan Housing, local residents and volunteers.
Key lessons
- Effective collaboration between Swindon Council, the housing provider (Raglan Housing) and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has facilitated integrated thinking across a range of health considerations
- Homes are designed to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 (a recognised national standard for design and construction in England which has a health and wellbeing category) with some homes designed to meet Lifetime Homes standards
- The Council has a Sustainable Design and Construction planning document adopted in 2007 as part of its suite of local planning documents, which recognises the wider benefits of sustainability for producing healthier environments
More information
- Planning Sustainable Cities and Community Food Growing (Sustain, 2014)