'Right to grow' helping wild flowers bloom

A boom in wild flowers is among the benefits of a "right to grow" initiative, organisers say.

Hull became the first city in Britain to pass a motion giving people a right to grow in September 2023.

It means communities can apply to grow food and flowers on unused council land.

John Pickles, a "postcode gardener" with Friends of the Earth, said a patch of grass on the Orchard Park estate had been brought to life with flowers including ox-eye daisies, purple thistles and yellow poppies.

Pickles worked with the community to establish the plot, which is is about the size of six parking spaces, off busy Hall Road.

"We knocked on doors on a cold day in February," he said.

"When we asked people if they wanted wild flowers outside their houses, they all said yes.

"In Orchard Park there is quite a bit of green space but nothing really colourful, so with just a little bit of work, we've brought it to life," he said.

It is one of several sites in Hull to benefit under the scheme and it is hoped more will follow.

Supporters say right to grow encourages wildlife, improves the look of an area and is good for mental health.

Pickles, who is one of 17 postcode gardeners around the country, said: "It could be vegetables, it could be wild flowers, it could be fruit trees.

"Hull was the first city in Britain to do it and we're hoping that other places will copy us."

He said residents had told him the estate "looked great" in the 1960s and 1970s, "but then suffered a bit in the 80s".

"Now it's like it's had a new coat of paint.

"I'd love everyone to have a patch of wildflowers like this within walking distance of their house. It just cheers everybody up."

Details of how to apply under right to grow are available on the Hull City Council website.

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