On 4th March 2015 Leeds Community project (LCP) re-occupied the non-residential areas of 6 Grosvenor Mount, LS6, after an unlawful eviction. We aim to continue to open up the space for the local community, and to facilitate discussions around how the unique infrastructures, including the glasshouses and garden, can be used to benefit the communities of Leeds beyond private housing.
The former University of Leeds research site, a unique space of nearly one acre, contains seven glasshouses and many established plants, including rare species. It now holds many future possibilities for sustainable food growing and can be envisioned as a space for education and social events, as well as a space for nature and wildlife. Since its closure in 2011, North Hyde Park Residents Association tried to designate 6 Grosvenor Mount as a ‘community asset’ and took this to Leeds City Council in an attempt to halt plans. The designation was not successful because the Council argued that the space was not being utilised by the local community. However, use of the space by the local community has not been possible due to the site being closed off. There have also been attempts by several individuals, including students, to communicate with Leeds University to prevent the sale for private investment and to open the space for community benefit, but the university has not continued discussions.
The University has been granted detailed planning permission to renovate the current residential building and to build seven new houses where the outbuildings, glasshouses and gardens now stand. It is currently in the process of selling the space to a private investor. Leeds University has publicly committed to values of education and sustainability, and we believe selling the site for private investment does not align with these.
Due to the imminence of the sale, on the 13th February 2015, LCP
took action and opened the site. In the week in was open we hosted a variety of activities including food growing, community social events, live acoustic music, activities for children and, in conjunction with The Real Junk Food project, a food initiative was launched. Over 100 people came to support the project, including local residents, by participating in activities and meetings. This, alongside the positive response to the social media campaign, showed there was potential and enthusiasm from the very beginning to discuss a future for 6 Grosvenor Mount beyond housing.
On 19th February LCP was unlawfully evicted and three of its members were arrested before being released without charge. Since, our legal working group has been in touch with external legal advisers to explore our options. LCP is working on taking legal actions against the University and has re-occupied the land.
Leeds Community Project strongly opposes the unlawful eviction and the actions of the University of Leeds and of the police. Therefore we have legally re-entered the site to continue our primary goals. These include to immediately stop the sale of 6 Grosvenor Mount, open it up to the communities of Leeds and facilitate discussions exploring the potential of the unique infrastructure so it better benefits local communities and interested groups.