Nantwich Town Council steps back from community garden lottery bid

Nantwich Town Council has paused a Stage 2 National Lottery application to expand the Growing Health Community Garden after fund officers requested clearer evidence of wider community impact; the garden remains funded and committed for another three years.

Nantwich Town Council has paused plans to submit a Stage 2 National Lottery application to extend funding for the Growing Health Community Garden at Brookfield allotments. The site won National Lottery Community Fund support in 2023 and has since expanded, taking referrals from the NHS, Age UK, care homes, schools and other local groups. Lottery officers asked for clearer evidence of wider community impact and highlighted that the Community Interest Company (CIC) running the garden currently has only one non-councillor board member. Council staff told councillors that, after that feedback, it was not viable to proceed to Stage 2 at this time. Key facts: - The council had planned a Stage 2 application to further fund the Growing Health Community Garden but has paused the bid following feedback from lottery officers. - The garden originally received a National Lottery grant of £55,658 in 2023 and has expanded its activities since then. - The facility offers wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a community shelter, a tool shed and a polytunnel. - The garden accepts referrals from health and community organisations, including the NHS and Age UK, and works with local care homes and schools. - Lottery officers raised concerns about demonstrating broader community leadership because the CIC has only one non-councillor board member. - The project is reported as committed for another three years, and council staff said current services will continue while they seek to grow CIC membership and bring in people with relevant skills. Summary: The pause preserves the garden's current services and its existing funding commitment for the near term. Council members said they need to build the CIC's independent membership and demonstrate wider community involvement before pursuing further Lottery funding. Undetermined at this time.