We have a live example of the impact of giving a group of people land to grow on.

This April we managed to start gardening on 1.3 acres on the edge of Haverfordwest.

Grwp resilience were offered the land early Autumn 2021 by a group of farmers who own the showground.

After some irritating pushing and nagging of the farmers by myself the growers got on the land in April. They had almost no money but lots of enthusiasm and joy after waiting up to 10 years in many cases for a patch of land

They have been actively collaborating in every imaginable way since. They first formed a committee, then a CIC and are self managing though we do make suggestions, and offer contacts. I was shocked at how long many had to save for to pay the rent, paying it in installments as they managed to save up.

This has made a transformative difference to many lives, the change on the ground has been dramatic. Tomorrow they have a work day to clear ground for a shared area for MIND for mental wellbeing.

They have even completed a carbon reduction plan and created a We say no to CO2 logo. Here's photos showing the number actively engaged togther on Whatsapp and the banner they have designed.

What would it take to provide this healing acre to people in our other deprived towns of Milford Haven, Monkton, Pembroke Dock?

It would take the county council to give us land or the Welsh govt to create a planning use class that means land beside towns can only be used for community support/ local amenity / residents needs.

The £ valuation before designation could be guaranteed to the owner should they wish to sell rather than rent /use the land for this purpose. Communities could raise the agricultural rate. Our growers have paid over £2000 for a year's rent and overheads at £100 pr 125sq m plot

That would cost the Welsh government no money, and save on all the costs of mental and physical dysfunction due to lack of a place to grow your own in good company

So why not do it? Genuine question

Grwp Resilience is a network of over 70 affiliated organisations working mainly in Pembrokeshire