A South Kilburn campaign group are holding an open day to advocate for the protection of their community garden.
Granville Community Kitchen (GCK) – a sustainable community food organisation who have been campaigning since 2023 – are hosting an event on Saturday 18 April in resistance to the re-development of Granville Rec, an established inner-city green space.
The Rec is an active, functioning community garden, dedicated to local food production, horticultural learning, and outdoor recreation for children and adults.
Taking place on the National Day of Action for nature, the event will offer activities which highlight the garden’s importance and promote GCK’s campaign.
This includes:
- Discussions about the campaign and the future of the garden
- A bug hunt and biodiversity exploration
- Distribution of garden-grown vegetables
- Hands-on gardening activities
- Banner making for the Save the Rec campaign
According to Leslie Barson, co-founder of GCK: “This is just the start of a summer of campaigning.
“We want to raise our profile, tell people about the campaign, and show them how wonderful the Rec is and all the things they can do there.”
She added: “We want the pressure to build on the council and developers.
“We’re not going to let this go – this is a very important community asset.”
As part of the National Parks campaign, the group aim to highlight with the event the larger problem of green space threats across the country.
“What a lot of these campaigns are fighting for is to save the spaces that are already there and have been developing over many years – an ecosystem that cannot be replaced,” Barson said.
About GCK, the Rec, and the development
Founded in 2014 as a response to food inequality and green space threat, GCK exists as an ethical, environmental, and culturally diverse community food organisation.
They have been managing Granville Rec since 2023, transforming what was once a park into an inclusive, productive green space.
Barson said: “It was basically a big briar patch, and we transformed it into a working veg-growing garden that’s such a boon to the area.”
The group are now fighting to save the space after threat of development by Brent Council.
As part of a 2500 home redevelopment scheme, the council plans to build 14 new houses on the site.
According to them, the loss of the Rec would be compensated for with alternative green space elsewhere.
However, plans reveal that the replacement consists of three small areas of green divided by a road and newly planted trees.
Barson said: “We’ve always argued that that is not a replacement garden.
“It’s not a biodiverse area like the Rec, which has mature trees of over 100 years old.
“It doesn’t at all replicate what we’re losing – it’s clear to anyone.”
GCK argue that these plans violate many of Brent Council’s policies about building on green space.
Further concerns from the group and other locals are that residents on Princess Road, partly overlooking the Rec, have never been consulted about these plans.
Commenting on GCK’s communication with Brent Council, Barson said: “It’s like knocking our heads against brick walls.”
She further said: “We’re hoping the new developer will realise the importance, ecologically and community-wise, of this small space and find another space for 14 homes.”
Brent Council has been contacted for a reply.
All photo credits: Granville Community Kitchen team
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