Mak Gilchrist first struck upon the idea of creating the Edible Bus Stop (EBS), when she became aware of an outline planning proposal that would have seen the neighbourhood’s one green space built upon. In February 2011, with support of her neighbour Catherine Bithell, she flyposted four hundred leaflets informing locals of the plans.

Inspired by a one meter square vegetable patch existing on the site, the local community were encouraged to guerrilla garden the entire space. The planning application was eventually rejected and on March 20th 2011, the first digging day saw 40+ enthusiastic locals turn up. The EBS volunteers gardened the space, transforming it within a matter of months. Regular ‘dig days’ followed and saw volunteers bring seedlings, plants, elbow grease, tea and cake and in no time at all, a garden was growing alongside a newly found community spirit.

In the summer of 2011, we posted a general call for people to submit proposals to formalise and redesign the site. At two public consultation days the neighbourhood were able to state their preference and reactions to those shortlisted. All of the proposals received positive responses, with one by Simon Goldsmith coming out as favourite. Will Sandy, a professional landscape architect, who had been involved with the development of the EBS from the outset, drew up the masterplan. He made adjustments that took into account favourable comments received for the other designs. The result was presented to Lambeth Council and won their approval.

To this day, the garden thrives magnificently. The enthusiastic endeavours of the volunteers efforts set a fine example of community empowerment in action.