Heeley City Farm

NAME Heeley City Farm
LOCATION Richards Road, Sheffield, S2 3DT
MANAGING ORGANISATION Heeley City Farm
WEBSITE www.heeleyfarm.org.uk

USED TO BE A…
Stretch of derelict land abandoned by the local council.

STORY
Twenty-two years ago, Sheffield City Council cleared two hectares of inner city terraced housing to make way for a by-pass. An enormous campaign, led by Heeley Tenants and Residents’ Association, fought against the road and when the plans were abandoned, the cleared land was left derelict.

Local residents, having heard of the city farm concept, suggested this might be a valuable use for the land. The project began with volunteers and youth groups working to remove rubble and tin cans from the space – this took almost year.

NOW A…
That humble beginning has sprouted an enterprise. The farm is still community-led with the most of the management committee and staff living within one mile of the site. Its features include a community garden, training and education centre, community café, vegetable and herb garden, children’s play area and grazing fields. The farm also runs the largest recycling project in the region.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Heeley City Farm is an excellent example of a community-led project that has really flourished. Heeley City Farm supports a diverse range of activities, involves a wide range of people and is the focus for much learning, work and fun. This improves its chances of surviving for another 20 years. Heeley City Farm has won awards – including, in its first two years of existence, two Green Pennants (link) – for community regeneration and its beautiful goats! And all this is only a mile out from Sheffield City Centre

"Our gates are never closed. There's something for everybody, from children who come to learn about the natural world, to older enthusiasts who come to pursue excellence in gardening and animal care."

David Gray, Development Manager at Heeley City Farm.