1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Greater Nottingham
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens
Short description of the intervention
Arkwright Meadows Community (AMC) Garden is situated in the heart of inner city Nottingham, Prior to 2001, the site was a disused, derelict and rubbish-strewn piece of land. In 2001, a group of Meadows residents came together to improve this derelict piece of land and work started to create the infrastructure of the community garden. The area was transformed into a green oasis and outdoor learning environment. (ref. 8)
Address

Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens
Kirkby Gardens
Nottingham
NG2 2HZ
United Kingdom

Location
The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).
Area boundary
POINT (-1.143843 52.940802)
POINT (-1.14447 52.9414)
POINT (-1.144449 52.940679)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google Earth
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Previous derelict area
Website of the intervention
http://www.amcgardens.co.uk/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2001
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2001
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Please specify "other" stage of the intervention
In 2001, local Meadows residents came together to improve the derelict site. In 2003, work started to create the infrastructure of the community garden, with the help of volunteers and local partnership scheme. (Ref. 2, 3)
Goals of the intervention
Arkwright Meadows Community Garden is a thriving community project. The aim was to improve and transform a derelict and rubbish-strewn area into a green space for local people to use for the benefits of a 'safe space' for e.g. family events; place for learning/education; and opportunity to by freshly grown fruit and vegetables. (Ref. 1, 2, 8)
Quantitative targets
E.g. aiming to plant 105 sapling trees through the 'The Green’s Windmill Garden Project' (Ref. 4 )
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of sapling trees planted in 2015 (Ref 4)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Conversion of former industrial areas
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Sustainable consumption
Sustainable production
Implementation activities
Transforming the derelict area into green space included measures such as planting orchard trees, native hedging, building an eco-building (for events and training) and over the years the Gardens have further developed into an oasis in the heart of the Meadows, with residents regularly coming to buy vegetables, hundreds of attendees at events and numerous daily visitors. Additionally, a pond for wildlife is created (which is home to “frogs and pond creatures”). (Ref. 1, 2, 8)
Type of NBS project
Transformation of previously derelict areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Community gardens and allotments
Community gardens
Horticulture
Blue infrastructure
Lakes/ponds
Please specify "other allotments and community gardens"
native hedging
Please specify the number of plots or allotment gardens
The data is not publicly available online
Vegetation Type
Grass
Trees
Other
Please specify how many trees were planted
The data is not publicly available online
Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS
Space for family events, place of learning and opportunity to buy freshly grown fruit and vegetables (ref. 4)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Other
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Other
Please specify "other cultural service"
a place for learning/education (ref. 4)
Scale
Spatial scale
Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
Non-government organisation/Civil Society
Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups
Marginalized groups
Refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants
Please specify other local relevant strategy
Nottingham City Council’s Allotment Action Plan (2009). (ref. 5)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Led by non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
AMC Gardens is a non-profit organisation. Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens was created by local Meadows residents (ref. 8). AMC Gardens collaborates with different partners, e.g. local schools and Big Lottery Fund (ref. 2).
Key actors - initiating organization
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
No information found
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Land owners
No information found
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Co-management/Joint management
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Voluntary (spontaneous)
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
Nottingham City Council’s Allotment Action Plan (2009). (ref. 5)
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Other
Please specify other vegetation type
native hedging
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
The project is part of NGN (Nottingham Growing Network), which is a networking initiative that builds links between community growing groups in the Nottingham area which share an interest in gardening with respect and care for the environment. NGN has linked up with the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG) as a local network to support local organisations. (Ref. 8)
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Through the Big Lottery Fund (Local Food) and donations and in-kind support. (Ref. 3, 9 , 10 )
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
A "friends of" group
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
In 2012, AMC Gardens were funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food programme (part of a £59.8 million, or around 67 million EUR programme ). (Ref. 3, 10)
Source(s) of funding
Other
Please specify other source of funding
AMC Gardens were funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food programme ["the income of all the Lottery distributors comes from the sale of National Lottery tickets"]. (ref. 2)
Type of fund(s) used
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Business models
Local stewardship model
Vacant space model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Technological
Product innovation
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Cultural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
building an eco-building (for events and training) and a pond for wildlife is created (which is home to “frogs and pond creatures”). (Ref. 1, 3, 5)
Please specify social innovation
AMC Gardens runs a host of educational activities ranging from willow workshops to horticultural work experience. (Ref. 6)
Also offers recreational opportunities in the green space for local residents. (Ref. 1)
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is completely new without connections to previous initiative(s)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Improvement and transformation of a derelict and rubbish-strewn area, creating a green oasis which includes community gardening and training opportunities. (Ref. 1, 3)
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Restoration of derelict areas
Description of environmental benefits
In 2001, Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens was created by local Meadows residents coming together to transform a rubbish-strewn wasteland into a green space for the local people (ref. 8).
It transformed a derelict site into "community-led" green space where local people run and participate in community activities". (Ref. 1)
Economic impacts
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Generation of income from NBS
Description of economic benefits
People come to the Gardens every day to buy low-cost organic food (ref. 8).
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Improved social cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved access to urban green space
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Description of social and cultural benefits
Over 6000 people now visit annually for education, training or recreation. More than 50 regular volunteers help cultivate the Gardens and deliver its activities. People come to the Gardens every day to buy low-cost organic food and enjoy the green space. We also host regular health activities and community events (ref. 8).

Established in 2001 Arkwright Meadows Community Garden is a thriving community project. The Gardens are a green oasis within walking distance of Nottingham City Centre.We are open to visitors throughout the week providing a place for relaxation and recreation. We grow and sell organically grown fruit and vegetables, provide volunteering, education and training, deliver a wealth of community activities and offer meeting room. AMC Gardens is run by local people and provides the Meadows with a well loved resource which reflects and celebrates this vibrant and diverse community.
The Gardens site and buildings are fully wheelchair accessible (ref. 1).
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Unknown
Environmental, social and economic impacts
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social cohesion
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Improving physical health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Promotion of cultural diversity
Sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Improved access to green and/or blue spaces
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
The Meadows Community Gardens is CLOSED at the moment due to the present situation with coronavirus, we will open again as soon as it is safe to do so (ref. 1). (As of: July 15 2020)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
No evidence in public records
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Not applicable
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
Yes
Link to monitoring/evaluation reports
http://www.cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk/Attachments/RHS%20Britain%20in%20Bloom%20Jud…
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
AMC Gardens is included in the Britain in Bloom final report, and is assessed by 'horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation'. The community project was awarded 'silver gilt'. (Ref. 11)
Link to the output of assessments
http://www.cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk/Attachments/RHS%20Britain%20in%20Bloom%20Jud…
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Yes
Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Other
Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment
Offers all residents a place to work, learn, volunteer, as well as offering a place for recreation and buying fruit and vegetables. (Ref. 1-3)
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
Ref. 9
Documents relevant to the intervention
Attachment Size
Nottingham City Council Draft Allotment Action Plan oct09.pdf (244.74 KB) 244.74 KB
List of references
1. AMC Gardens. 2017. Welcome to Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens. Available at: https://www.amcgardens.co.uk/ ( Accessed: 16 July 2020)
2. AMC Gardens. 2014. Our story. Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens. Available at: http://www.amcgardens.co.uk/our-roots/ (Accessed 16 July 2020)
3. AMC Gardens. 2014. Garden and produce. AMC Gardens. Available at: https://www.amcgardens.co.uk/whats-on/ (Accessed 16 July 2020)
4. AMC Gardens. 2014. Education and training. AMC Gardens. Available at: http://www.amcgardens.co.uk/education/ (Accessed: 16 July 2020)
5. Nottingham City Council. 2009. Allotment Action Plan. Draft. (attached in documents) (Accessed: 16 July 2020)
6. Farm Garden. (2017). Nottingham Growing Network. Federation of City farms & Community gardens. Available at: https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/nottingham-growing-network (Accessed: 16 July 2020)
7. Columbia in Bloom. (2020). RHS Community Gardening News Issue 2. Available at: https://cumbria-in-bloom.org.uk/story/rhs-community-gardening-news-issue-2/ (Accessed: 16 July 2020)
8. Localgiving. (n.d.) Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: https://localgiving.org/charity/amcgardens/
9. BBC Children in Need. (n.d.) Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens. Accessed 16 July 2020. Available at: https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/projects/arkwright-meadows-community-gardens/
10. The Telegraph UK (2013) Lottery funding keeps communities in good health. Accessed 16 July 2020.
11. RHS (2013) RHS Britain in Bloom. Royal horticultural Society. (Not available in 2020)
Attachments
Attachment Size
Nottingham City Council Draft Allotment Action Plan oct09.pdf (244.74 KB) 244.74 KB
Comments and notes
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/amc_gardens_ref_3.jpg
Public Images
AMC Gardens winter
AMC Gardens
https://www.amcgardens.co.uk/activity/growing-power/