Policy OB6
Allotments and community gardens
a) The council will protect existing allotments and community gardens for food growth to support sustainable food growth locally, and to enhance opportunities for leisure, social interaction, improved physical and mental health, and education.
b) Major development proposals that include housing, and development proposals for community facilities, will be encouraged to opportunities for community gardening, food growth and allotments.
c) Where it does not conflict with other policy objectives or land use priorities, the council will support the use of a land for community gardening and food growing growth including the temporary use of vacant or derelict land, and the use of incidental open space on housing estates.
9.52 Community gardens and allotments are valuable assets that contribute to more sustainable, healthy and socially connected borough. They provide opportunities for local food production, help reduce carbon emissions associated with food transport, promote a closer connection to nature and have a recreational value for younger people whilst also supporting biodiversity and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. As the demand for sustainable living and access to green space grows, so does the importance of protecting and expanding opportunities for food growing.
9.53 There are currently 2 community garden sites and 2 allotment sites in the borough that are managed by Hammersmith and Fulham. The Open Space Audit (2025) have found that a small portion (3.6% ) of the borough's total area is covered by allotments and community gardens. The two allotment sites - Fulham Palace Meadow (the Warren) and Emlyn Leisure Gardens - contain respectively 409 and 86 allotment plots.
9.54 The council recognises that allotments and community gardening spaces offer wide-ranging benefits. These include promoting physical activity, supporting mental wellbeing, fostering social inclusion, and creating educational opportunities for people of all ages. They also serve as important spaces for biodiversity and urban greening.
9.55 The council's Food Plan 2025-30 emphasises the importance of food in daily life, from nutrition to community-building and seeks to enhance the local food system by integrating input from various stakeholders, including organisations that support the communities we serve. The Food Plan takes into consideration the role of community gardens and allotments as spaces for food growth, community interaction and education hub, exploring how these spaces with multiple benefits can be increased to ensure everyone can access healthy and affordable food. Existing allotments and community gardens will be protected wherever possible. Development that would result in their loss will be only permitted where equivalent or improved provision is made.
Growing spaces
9.56 To further promote food growing, the council will encourage new developments, particularly major housing schemes and community facilities, to incorporate space for community gardening and food growth. These can take the form of rooftop allotments, shared courtyard gardens, raised beds, or designated areas within landscaping schemes. Integrating growing space into new developments helps to create vibrant, engaged communities and supports healthier lifestyles. In addition, the council will support the use of underused or vacant land for temporary food growing projects, as well as the use of incidental green space on housing estates and other open areas where appropriate. These small-scale interventions can offer significant local benefits without conflicting with other policy objectives or land use needs.