Exciting Newham City Farm Update

You may have heard that all of our campaigning, complaining and dressing up in silly animal costumes has finally paid off and a community farm is firmly back on the architect’s plans at the former Newham City Farm site.

This was amazing news as it contains a forest school area and has a big educational focus. There is also a sensory garden. The Save Newham City Farm Campaign Team were very happy UNTIL they learned that the space allocated for animals was incredibly tiny and the site was predominantly going to be developed for arable farming with a fruit forest and farming fields.

At consultation events in December 2022, where the draft plans were revealed, residents commented that Custom House and Beckton already had lots of growing spaces and whilst these were highly valued and important it was the farms animals that gave Newham residents the unique opportunity to observe, learn and interact with them and that this wasn’t something that could be accessed elsewhere in the Borough. The multiple benefits of this interaction cannot be derived or replicated from arable farming. We asked that a larger area be allocated for animals at the new community farm. The updated plans will shortly be revealed as part of the next stage of the Beckton Parks Masterplan consultation process and once again we need schools help.

There are 2 consultation events being held on Saturday 11th March 2023 at Beckton Globe Library. One commencing at 10.30 ending 13.00 with a presentation of the plans at 11am and the other commencing at 14.00 ending 16.30 with a presentation of the plans at 14.30. East Architecture Design team will be on hand to present the plans and listen to your comments and ideas.

The exhibition will then remain at the Library until 17th March and comments cards will be available for you to leave your comments.

It would be great if school staff could attend on 11th or pay a visit the following week to give their views on what your school would like to see at the newly opened site. It would also be greatly appreciated if a copy of this article could be published in your school newsletters to encourage parents to attend the consultation events too. This way we can really ensure that the new farm site meets everyone’s needs and becomes a fully accessible, sustainable, valued and treasured community asset that will be enjoyed by the widest audience possible.

In addition Newham Council will be running Conservation Volunteering Sessions at the Newham City Farm site on the first Friday of each month. These start on Friday 3rd March 10am to 1pm and it’s an excellent opportunity for schools, parents and local residents to visit and experience the site first hand to see it’s amazing potential. It’s a great way to keep fit and enjoy some community spirit by rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in to start transforming the site to a safe accessible space whilst enjoying the tranquil surroundings and reconnecting with nature. At present these sessions are only open to adults to attend and children are currently not allowed onsite. Anyone wishing to attend must email becktonparks@newham.gov.uk and give their name on arrival at the farm on the day.

In response to requests from people who have work or have caring commitments on weekdays we have requested that Newham Parks Team try to facilitate some weekend dates as we reach spring and summer. If this is something that schools staff would also like please email becktonparks@newham.gov.uk.

The Save Newham City Farm campaign team would like to say a huge thank you for the fantastic support received from Newham schools to date and we look forward to seeing you at the Conservation Volunteering and Consultation Events.

IMAGES: Images were taken Summer 2022 showing the farm in its current good condition but disused state.