The vacant plot of land, in Farmway, has been handed over to Becontree Ward Central Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) on a ten year lease.
Along with the TRA, Barking and Dagenham Council held a community fun day in April 2011 and a summer fete in August to see what local residents wanted to happen to the plot. A number of ideas were put forward but the most popular was for the site to be turned into a community garden which everyone could use and enjoy. There was enthusiasm from all age groups, including young people who said they would be keen to help out on the project.
Funding has been secured to help develop the plot into a garden and an artist is working on some initial sketches of how the finished garden might look. Residents will decide what the garden will look like, how it will be run and what facilities it will contain.
Local residents can get involved by coming along to the regular TRA meetings held at Becontree Children’s Centre in Stevens Road. The next meeting is at 7pm on Monday 28 May.
Darren Henaghan, Corporate Director of Housing and Environment, said: “What is good about this project is that the community has been involved every step of the way. It will be great to see how the garden develops over time.
“If you live in the area it’s still not too late to get involved. Just come along to the next meeting of the TRA.
“I hope that this project has brought the community closer together and that the garden will continue to do that in the years to come.”