A PIECE of land in Thornton which has stood overgrown for more than a decade and been labelled an “eyesore” is undergoing a facelift thanks to a Bradford Council campaign.

A day of action featuring ward councillors, residents, and the newly-formed Sapgate Gardens Association took place to tidy up the area at the bottom of Sapgate Lane.

EDITOR'S COMMENT: Plots scheme is one that could grow and grow

More than 40 people were involved in the project, which is linked to the local authority’s People Can Make a Difference campaign, aimed at highlighting the positive contribution people can make by coming together to improve their local community.

Christine Clavering, chairman of the Sapgate Gardens Association, said: “It was great to see so many people involved in this day of action.

“The idea behind setting up the association is for us to eventually take over control of the land from the council and turn it from an eyesore into a well-used community garden and potential allotment space.

“There will be further days of action in the coming weeks and months until the space is completely cleared.”

The volunteers got stuck in to cut back grass, remove weeds, and generally make the land, which is described as about the size of a football pitch, look more presentable.

Ward councillors Sue Duffy and Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton) also took part in the community clear-up.

“About 18 months ago two local residents approached me and Councillor Dunbar explaining that they wanted something positive to happen to the land rather that it being the eyesore it had become over the years,” said Cllr Duffy.

“In that time the association has been set up, negotiations have taken place with the council about the transfer of the land, and the local community have rallied around the idea of the land being used as a community garden.

“We are proud to be involved and look forward to seeing things develop even further.”

Cllr Dunbar added: “It was great to be involved and we must thank the people of Thornton for coming together to transform this piece of land into an area to be enjoyed by the whole community. We must thank our community development worker for his input and we are glad to have identified funding that allowed the day to go ahead.”

MORE TOP STORIES