Growing Communities forced to quit Stoke Newington ‘patchwork farm’ site

Driven off the land: Growing Communities had used the space behind the high street for several years. Photograph: Growing Communities/Shyamantha Asokan

Hackney not-for-profit organisation Growing Communities says it has been forced to quit a site it operated behind the former TSB bank on Stoke Newington High Street – after its arrangement to use the space came to an end.

The small patch of land, called Kynaston Patchwork Farm, was a “thriving and productive food-growing site”, according to the green-fingered organisation, which is based in the nearby Old Fire Station building.

Sophie Verhagen, from Growing Communities, said: “We’re very disappointed at this loss of precious food-growing space in the city, especially after all the work we had put in.”

Growing Communities had a five-year agreement with TSB to use the vacant plot of land, but when the bank ended its lease on the building, the landlord’s solicitors asked the growers to move out.

“It’s not yet clear what the space will be used for next,” Verhagen said.

The Hackney Patchwork Farm is a key plank of Growing Communities’ aim to build a more sustainable and resilient food system by growing food close to where it will be eaten and training new growers and food producers.

In a statement released yesterday Growing Communities stressed its Hackney Patchwork Farm – an umbrella term covering various sites – will carry on producing salad.

There are nine remaining growing spaces locally, including market gardens in Clissold Park and Springfield Park. These welcome volunteers and visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays.