Leaf Street is a publicly accessible community garden situated on Bentley House estate in Hulme, which is a densely populated, multi-ethnic neighborhood, immediately south of Manchester city centre. It is one of the finest examples of urban permaculture in the UK.
The site is an old road that was turfed by the Council in 1990. It remained until 1999 as a little used strip of grass, until residents began talking about managing the space creatively, as a resource for community use. In September that year a 72 Hour Permaculture Design course was organised, and the site was used for a practical design exercise. During the training participants held a community consultation on site, and created a master design, which forms the basis of the garden today.
Following this there was a much enthusiasm and local people helped to make the garden a reality, using what can best be described as "guerrilla" gardening tactics. The garden has slowly evolved, and has seen the development of "The World's Largest Herb Spiral", composting, and there are networks of wood-chipped paths between raised vegetable beds. The garden sports top fruit, soft fruit, herbs, wildflowers and ornamental shrubs. Over the years an uneasy alliance has existed between residents and the local authorities, although relations have improved recently. During this period the project received just one small grant for £300 from Unicorn Grocery, which it used to purchase fruit trees.
Things have not always been plain sailing in the garden. It has undergone several leadership cycles, and local people with the time and resources to co-ordinate activities are few and far between. By December 2002, energy levels were low, and the garden was becoming unkempt, so a radical decision was made, to raise funds and employ a project co-ordinator. A company limited by guarantee called Leaf Street Ltd was set up, comprised of residents from the local neighbourhood, and approximately £14,000 funds were raised from small grants and private donations. The bulk of this money has been used to employ part time workers who have gardened, and supported volunteers. Community workshops and events are organised during the warm weather, and the garden is used by residents for socialising and “hanging out”. The space features many good examples of art and sculpture, which have been created autonomously by local people. There has been a massive increase in biodiversity in the garden over the years, in terms of both wildlife and cultivated plants.
During the original permaculture design process, food production was considered a primary function for the garden. Over the years however, excessive shade, impoverished soil, pollution, public access and dogs and cats fouling, have shifted the focus more towards recreation and wildlife habitat. Despite these obstacles there is still much good food grown on site, including apples, pears, plums, currents, berries, squashes and pumpkins to name a few. There are also many species of culinary and medicinal herbs dotted around for those that know where to look. In the autumn, children from the estate play in the garden and eat apples and pears, fresh from the trees.
For more information contact Will Lenton, c/o 75 Rockdove Ave, Hulme, Manchester Phone 0161 227 7821, email
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Leaf Street is a publicly accessible community garden situated on Bentley House estate in Hulme, which is a densely populated, multi-ethnic neighborhood, immediately south of Manchester city centre. It is one of the finest examples of urban permaculture in the UK. 
Following this there was a much enthusiasm and local people helped to make the garden a reality, using what can best be described as "guerrilla" gardening tactics. The garden has slowly evolved, and has seen the development of "The World's Largest Herb Spiral", composting, and there are networks of wood-chipped paths between raised vegetable beds. The garden sports top fruit, soft fruit, herbs, wildflowers and ornamental shrubs. Over the years an uneasy alliance has existed between residents and the local authorities, although relations have improved recently. During this period the project received just one small grant for £300 from Unicorn Grocery, which it used to purchase fruit trees.
Things have not always been plain sailing in the garden. It has undergone several leadership cycles, and local people with the time and resources to co-ordinate activities are few and far between. By December 2002, energy levels were low, and the garden was becoming unkempt, so a radical decision was made, to raise funds and employ a project co-ordinator. A company limited by guarantee called Leaf Street Ltd was set up, comprised of residents from the local neighbourhood, and approximately £14,000 funds were raised from small grants and private donations. The bulk of this money has been used to employ part time workers who have gardened, and supported volunteers. Community workshops and events are organised during the warm weather, and the garden is used by residents for socialising and “hanging out”. The space features many good examples of art and sculpture, which have been created autonomously by local people. There has been a massive increase in biodiversity in the garden over the years, in terms of both wildlife and cultivated plants.
