THOSE with a love for the outdoors and who live on a certain street in Chippenham are being encouraged to volunteer for a community garden project.

Resident Paul Treacy is hoping to develop an outdoor garden area at the Westcroft estate where housing association GreenSquare manage 120 flats and houses.

The 40-year-old is calling on residents in the area to come forward and help with the project which would be supported by GreenSquare if enough people volunteer.

“Charter Road have the same kind of project and I’m trying to set up a similar thing,” said Mr Treacy, who has lived on Litherland Close for almost a year.

“A lot of what was there was pretty drabby but most of it has been tided-up but it would be nice to brighten it up.

“I had the idea last summer and I’ve been getting some good feedback.

“GreenSquare are hoping to support us with some funding and we just need to get the word out really.”

A meeting was held last month to discuss the idea and further conversations are expected to take place with hopes that the project will begin in a couple of months.

Nathan Jones, housing officer at GreenSquare, said: “We're looking for volunteers of all ages, who would be keen to get involved and help to maintain a community garden here at Westcroft.

“We've cleared three planters in the communal area ready to be turned into flower beds or even a mini allotment – now we just need some residents who live in Westcroft to come forward and get stuck in.

“We’ve run similar projects in Chippenham and Calne, where we've worked with residents to turn unused, neglected planters into thriving community gardens, and there is potential to do the same here.

“You don't have to have any previous gardening experience, just be willing to lend a bit of time to the project. If we have enough volunteers, we will be able to run planting sessions to help get the project off the ground.”

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