Exemplar Education Hub To Be Created At Pioneering Organic Farm In Dagenham
One of London’s leading organic farms can create an exemplary new hub for nature-friendly food growing and ecological education following a successful planning application.
Dagenham Farm, a pioneering project by Growing Communities, has been driving sustainable food production, inspiring and supporting mental health in the Borough since 2012. What was once a concrete expanse has been transformed into a green oasis, demonstrating sustainable urban food growing and offering vital educational experiences to local residents, schools, and community groups.
Growing Communities is a non-profit organisation committed to building a just, sustainable food system. Dagenham Farm exemplifies this mission through hands-on education, volunteering, and local food production - helping residents improve their health, well-being, and environmental awareness. Despite its proven success, the farm is currently constrained by a lack of fit-for-purpose infrastructure: outreach and school programmes are limited by inadequate classroom space, insufficient sanitation, and a poorly defined and inaccessible entrance area.
“Our outreach programme has been a huge success and fully embraced by the local community who are keen to learn how they can grow delicious, healthy food that is good for them, nature and the planet,” explains Alice Holden, head grower at Growing Communities Dagenham Farm. “Our vision is to expand and elevate our existing facilities to increase our outreach capacity and create an inspiring education hub for local, sustainable farming in London,” adds Alice.
Inspired by the urgency and importance of Growing Communities’ mission, architectural practice, Ackroyd Lowrie, whose core design ethos is to create healthy cities for the future, has provided pro-bono support to help the organisation achieve its growth plans.
Following a collaborative and iterative design process, Ackroyd Lowrie’s approved proposal includes:
· A dedicated new classroom, more than tripling the size of the existing space and accommodating up to 30 students and circa 100 visits per year
· Timber canopy entrance as a welcoming arrival point and all-weather space
· Outdoor handwashing station with varied sink heights to increase accessibility for young children and wheelchair users
· Repurposing the existing classroom as a new reception, promoting positive visitor interaction
· New WC and accessible WC facilities
· New tree for natural shading
Ackroyd Lowrie’s Managing Director, Jon Ackroyd, and architect, Charlotte Staton, have worked closely with Growing Communities to shape a solution that truly reflects their needs, values, and long-term aspirations.
Jon comments: “This project is already an incredible asset for the local community, but it has huge untapped potential. These additions will bring more people together, promote positive social interaction, mental & physical wellbeing, and provide ‘hands on’ education about urban food growing and healthy eating.
“The positive outcome from this planning application means Growing Communities Dagenham Farm can become a flagship hub for London’s foodscape and directly contribute towards the creation of a healthier city.”
Charlotte adds: “By reconfiguring and enhancing the space with a more accessible layout, we have significantly increased capacity and established a welcoming and comfortable sense of place.”
The full project team, who also donated their expertise and time pro-bono, includes Hybrid Planning & Development and LSY Engineering Consultants.
