What if projects

Since 2007 the VACANT LOT allotment programme occupies neglected and unused spaces on housing estates across London. Spaces are made accessible and useable for growing food, socialising and play through simple adjustments to the found sites.

Building on the success of the first VACANT LOT allotment on Chart Street in Hoxton, What if: projects teamed up with Groundwork to establish an additional 20 allotments on housing estates in London between 2009-2012. The project is funded by the Big Lottery "Local Food" programme and the partnering social housing providers.

Each new garden space is designed by What if: projects Ltd in collaboration with the local community and responds to the site and its context. A family of allotment furniture consisting of planters, water towers, seating and sheds is being designed for each site and build by our team with the help of volunteers.

Quotes from residents on housing estates in East London:

"We all got green spaces in front of our window but we can't get to them. They are all fenced off."

" I don't know my neighbours. We need somewhere we can meet up, talk,..."

Project Partnership 2009-2012: Groundwork London, What if: projects Ltd
Funding: Big Lottery, Family Mosaic, Southern Housing Group, Circle 33 Housing Trust, Newlon Housing Trust, Homes for Islington, Islington Council Community Chest
Site locations: Hackney Islington, Camden
Other support: London Waste, King's Cross Construction Skills Centre (Carillion), Camden Jobtrain, Elba, Moneybookers, UBS

VACANT LOT sites 2009 - 2011

VACANT LOT no.2

William Bullough Court, 39-44 West Bank, London N16

April 2010 - ongoing
Partnership: What if: projects Ltd, Groundwork London, Family Mosaic (social housing provider)
Funding: Big Lottery, Family Mosaic
Other support: Moneybookers (labour), Planter material (Family Mosaic)

Estate: William Bullough Court
Total no. of households: 19
Total size of garden area: 580m2
Plot size: 3.12sqm per houshold

VACANT LOT no.3

Samual Lewis Trust Estate, Amhurst Park, London N16

May 2010 - ongoing
Partnership: What if: projects Ltd, Groundwork London, Southern Housing Group (social housing provider)
Funding: Big Lottery, Southern Housing Group

Estate: Samual Lewis Trust Estate
Total no. of households: 94
Total size of garden area: 176m2
Number of plots: 40
Plot size: 1m2

Maintenance: SLTE Gardening Group
Estate mainteance: Southern Housing Group caretaker

Opening, May 2010

VACANT LOT no.4

Asker House, Tufnell Park Road, London N7

June 2010 - ongoing
Partnership: What if: projects Ltd, Groundwork London, Family Mosaic (social housing provider)
Funding: Big Lottery, Southern Housing Group
Other support: fence material (Southern Housing)

Estate: Asker House
Total no. of households: 72
Total size of garden area: 237sqm
Number of plots: 36
Plot size: 3.1sqm

Other green space improvements: New playground equipment (Southern Housing)
Maintenance: Asker House Gardening Club
Estate maintenance: Southern Housing cartaker

VACANT LOT no.5

0-4 Bassett Street, London N7

August 2010 - ongoing
Partnership: What if: projects Ltd, Groundwork London, London Borough of Camden
Funding: Big Lottery
Other support: Camden Job Train (planter construction)

Estate: Bassett Street
Total no. of households: neighbourhood
Total size of garden area: 616sqm
Number of plots: 136 (max)
Plot size: 1m2 - 3.12sqm

Basset Street action day (image by Basset Street Garden Club)

Basset Street, October 2010

VACANT LOT no.7

Minerva Lodge, Rowen Way, London N7

Start on site: 6. September 2010
Partnership: What if: projects Ltd, Groundwork London, Circle 33 (social housing provider)
Funding: Big Lottery, Circle 33
Construction: Furniture Group (carpentry contractor), Vista Landscape Management Ltd (paving contractor)

Supported housing for elderly and disabled people: Minerva Lodge
Special requirements: level, paved area to access planters, raised beds suitable for wheelchair users
Total no. of units: 43
Total size of garden area: 71sqm
Plot size: 15sqm

Maintenance: Minerva Lodge caretaker