At first glance, Beech Grove may not be very different from other new housing developments.

But it is – and the difference isn’t about extra play areas or additional solar panels.

It is about food. At Beech Grove, in Undercliffe – where 90 homes are being built – space has been allocated for allotments, where local residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables. The site previously contained some allotments, but being on a steep slope, with drainage problems, these were neglected and underused.

The creation of new, more user-friendly allotments as an integral part of this development forms part of Bradford District Food Strategy, which aims to benefit people’s health and well-being.

It works across the community to strengthen the development of local food networks that will bring food growers and suppliers closer to the communities they serve. This in turn helps to promote sustainability, create jobs and bring environmental benefits.

“We live in a district that does not grow enough of its own food, where there is very little food resilience and real health issues in terms of obesity, plus there is a lack of knowledge in food preparation and cooking skills,” says Kevin Warnes deputy leader of the Green group on Bradford Council and deputy chairman of the environment and waste management committee.

“We will never be self-sufficient – that is not our aim – but we would like to grow a far higher proportion of our own food across the district and give lots of people access to food-growing land and spaces.”

He adds: “The second key aim is to deal with food-related health issues that are a huge problem for health services in the district. The two together mean that people will have more access to nutritious, safe, affordable food.”

Developing more localised food networks will also help to reduce food miles and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

To achieve these aims, the strategy employs a number of initiatives including working in schools and communities to encourage food growing and other food-related skills such as food preparation and cooking, as well as improving understanding of food and its relationship to good health, behaviour and learning.

“We have extreme issues about people not eating healthily, but we also have a really good catering industry with world-renowned restaurants and top chefs, so it is about bringing them in too.” says Hawarun Hussain, Green Party councillor for Shipley and member of the Council’s regeneration and economy committee.

“A Masterchef finalist came from Bradford – the skills are here.”

Bradford has had a food network for more than a decade and a District Food Charter since 2001. A number of organisations including Bradford Community Environment Project (BCEP) and Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES) have worked closely with communities to develop sustainable food projects and will continue to do so.

Further developing and promoting the network is another of the strategy’s aims as well as increasing employment and volunteering opportunities within them.

The strategy has been put together by Bradford Council, together with members of organisations including NHS Bradford and Airedale, Bradford Community Environment Project, Friends of the Earth, and West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, as well as the voluntary sector, local businesses, food growers, and others who are passionate about food. An action plan is currently being put together.

Maximising opportunities for residents to become involved in growing and producing food is a further aim, as well as encouraging the consumption of seasonal – in particular locally-grown – foods.

To this end, allotments will come under the spotlight. “We have to change from being a manager of allotments to being a pro-active promoter of food growing and knowledge,” says Kevin.

Adds Hawarun: “People will be encouraged, for example, to plant fruit trees and if people want to set up a community garden they can.” Allotment sharing is also encouraged.

Pam Bhupal, environment officer in the Council's environment and climate change unit says: “We want to make things easier for people to encourage healthy eating and lifestyles.”

Closer links will also be forged with local, regional and national government agencies to influence future decisions that could help to further the aims of the strategy.

The district already has many excellent examples of food growing and healthy eating projects such as the Ministry of Food, Horton Community Farm, Glenaire and Haworth Primary Schools, Northcliffe Allotment Society, Springfield Community Garden and Cafe West In Allerton. Thriving farmers markets are further examples of residents’ interest in how we produce and consume our food.

“The strategy offers a goal for us – it says where we want to go,” adds Hawarun.