We are a group of people who came together to create a community of resistance by reclaiming a site of unused land in Leeds. The old Experimental Gardens at 6 Grosvenor Mount LS6 2DX is open to be used by anyone who wants to get involved! You can see the photos of the community enjoying the transformed space at https://www.facebook.com/leeds.cp.
We have gathered inspiration from other great community projects, such as Grow Heathrow or Reclaim the Fields.
However, we have also come together through some shared ideas and values which we aim to integrate in this project as described below. We aim to create a cooperative of many community projects which align with these values who can come together and create a feasible proposal for the space.
We envision and are actively creating a space which is:
Inclusive, self aware and open.
Accessible.
Open to all faiths.
Non-hierarchical and a space which strives to use consensus decision making.
Reflective of the needs of the local community.
A part of social change.
For learning and education of all kinds.
A safe place by being respectful and strongly rejecting any sort of discrimination.
Please sign our petition HERE:
https://www.change.org/p/the-university-of-leeds-6-grosvenor-mount-for-the-community
We, the undersigned, call on the University of Leeds to:
- Immediately stop any plans for the sale of 6 Grosvenor Mount that will result in the destruction of the glasshouses and development of this site into private housing
- Allow the community to decide the future of the site, or otherwise ensure that this site is used in a way which serves the interests of the wider community
- Immediately stop the possession order being taken against Leeds Community Project (LCP), the current legal occupiers, and allow for them to maintain the site and facilitate its transformation into a community space
This is important because:
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 commitments to sustainability, learning and community engagement, and a responsibility to recognize that this space was bought with public money and so should be used for the public good. The University should not be guided simply by profit. Yet regardless, the site is planned to be sold for only £600,000, which is a minor percentage of the university’s annual revenue. Allowing for the site to serve the community would be of incredible value for both the University and the city of Leeds.
LCP wants to facilitate the collaboration of groups and individuals to decide together how 6 Grosvenor Mount should be used to realize its potential as a community space. LCP are maintaining the site at the moment and putting it to very valuable use. They are already holding inclusive community events and meetings, growing food, and engaging members of the wider community.
In a city that recorded 4,747 long-term empty homes in 2014, more private housing is not what Leeds needs.
(http://www.leedsempties.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Leeds_empties_infographic_2104.jpg)
Planning permission for the site –http://plandocs.leeds.gov.uk/WAM/doc/BackGround%20Papers-697726.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=697726&location=Volume4&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1
Consensus Decision Making
Consensus decision making is an alternative to voting as a way of making decisions in a group. Unlike voting, where the majority 
rules, consensus uses a creative and dynamic process so the group can reach agreements and find solutions that everyone supports (or at least can live with!).
At LCP, we aim to use consensus to help make decisions regarding the project.
You can find out more at: www.seedsforchange.org.uk