A CHILDREN'S allotment in East Oxford is one step closer after organisers secured £17,000 in grants.

Group founder Alice Hemmings said the cash boost would help ‘kick start’ plans to launch the outdoor education space for children and a full-time childcare co-op scheme run by parents.

The bulk of the money has come from the Bright Ideas Fund, which has pledged £15,400, as well as £1,950 from Midcounties Co-operative.

Ms Hemmings, who first had the idea to transform the overgrown land at East Ward Allotments off Cricket Road two years ago, said: “I was motivated by seeing a bit of a gap in provision.

“Childcare can be really expensive and the site hadn’t really been used in about six years.

“It can also be hard to get children involved in the outdoors so this seemed like the perfect place to create something where kids could do things outside and find out about growing their own food.”

Oxford City Council, which owns the land, agreed last year to rent it to a community action group created by Ms Hemmings for a peppercorn rent for the next 10 years.

Volunteers started clearing the site, which includes an indoor cabin, polytunnels and an orchard of apples trees, in March.

The team hope the site could eventually have a new building for cooking meals and planning the garden.

Ms Hemmings said: “The grants will pay for legal fees, getting everything registered and architect designs.

“Being able to afford all of that will give us a good kick start to properly get going.”

She added: “The idea is that people would be able to volunteer time doing everything from cleaning and cooking meals to helping looking after the children.

“The most expensive cost for a nursery is staff so any way that could be reduced will really benefit people in the area.

“I’ve been surprised and pleased by the amount of interest and I think this is something unique and that people really want.”

The Florence Park resident said the plan was to begin taster sessions this autumn with regular activities from the new year.

A discussion group also launched last night at the Ark T Centre, Cowley, for those interested to talk about childcare models as the group develops.

For more, see facebook.com/childrensallotment