Yard act to follow: Beeston bin store gets a glow up

Two years of work by Our Future Beeston, a Climate Action Leeds community hub, were proudly on display when a multidimensional new space was opened for people in the area.

OFB workers and volunteers have turned a previously derelict binyard into a blooming environment where residents can relax and grow flowers, fruit, and veg.

The transformation involved around 80 bags of rubbish being cleared before the floor was rebuilt and repaved, while all the components were made from reclaimed pallets and scaffold board.

The yard was officially opened on Saturday May 11th, with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Al Garthwaite, cutting the ribbon on the space.

Cllr Garthwaite said: “This binyard is a real example of partnership and community working.

It will be the local community who will use this as way of getting together, coming and sitting here and enjoying each other’s company. Many thanks to Climate Action Leeds and everybody who’s had any part in this, I think it’s wonderful and I just wish that all our bin yards could done up like this.”

OFB worker Beth Bingley said that the yard was designed to blend bin storage into a space for growing food, socialising, and drying washing.

Despite the yard having "a lot of additional structural problems", Beth reported that the yard cost under £3,000 to deliver.

She has shared her designs with local charity Hyde Park Source, with plans to develop them further. The goal is to produce a series of build guides for bin stores, street planters and raised beds, together with some whole-yard design options for areas serving different numbers of houses.

Beth also aims to produce a 'How to' guide, which will cover tenure, legal considerations, dealing with structural issues, neighbour engagement, and design.

She added: "These designs provide the opportunity for Leeds City Council to address multiple issues in urban and back-to-back areas of Leeds [such as] lack of green, growing, and social spaces, as well as secure places to dry washing and store bikes and buggies.

"They can also help with creating a more nature-friendly, socially just city, and supporting the Zero Carbon 2030 goals, whilst achieving considerable cost savings."

In the meantime, the prototype designs will be rolled out as part of the Woodhouse Community Streets pilot.

Quotes courtesy of South Leeds Life; images courtesy of Andy Goldring and Jeremy Morton.

y of Andy Goldring.