“It was a blot on our landscape that was crying out for the care, imagination and enthusiasm of local people’s green fingers,” explains Cllr Denis Whittle, a Holt resident.

To improve the aesthetics of the estate and to create a focal area for events, relaxing, socialising and gardening, Holt Tenants and Residents’ Association in Rochdale combined their skills and knowledge to transform a derelict site into a well designed community garden for the area’s 400 residents.

“With the help of a local builder and with funding from GGM, we were able to put our ideas and dreams into practice and create an urban oasis. It’s now a great ecological resource used by everyone in the community, young and old,” added Denis.

Situated next to a large hill, residents can take a rest on the garden’s bench, made from recycled plastic bags or admire the wildlife. Alternatively, if they wanted to work up a sweat they could even do some gardening, with the onsite tools.

Physical improvements made to the former neglected wasteland include 20m of new pathways and 150m2 of land improvements. The garden is a shared resource for the whole community and one that will be further developed and enhanced year after year.