Honicknowle Community Gardens
On Friday 17th November 2023, a meeting sponsored by Four Greens Community Trust took place at the Honicknowle Youth Centre and was attended by about forty-five people, most of whom were local residents. The meeting was an invitation for people who live or work in Honicknowle to consider creating a community garden on a small piece of land owned by and next to The Phoenix Centre on Little Dock Lane.
The gathering was presented with a concept design, created by YGS Environmental Consultants to give us a starting point for the discussion that took place over the next hour and a half.
The concept design was favourably viewed as a suitable plan and it was generally agreed that we should move the project forward.
A steering group was assembled from volunteers who agreed to participate. They met at The Phoenix Centre several times to consider how best to move the concept forward. The original draft design was considered in some detail, but it was agreed that, with a few minor tweaks, it would admirably serve the purpose.
The project also includes a meditation / sensory garden on land donated by The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 53 Little Dock Lane, Honicknowle, Plymouth PL5 2LP. The site is located at the rear of the church hall, accessed at the top of St. Francis Court. This garden will be developed at the same time as the one at The Phoenix Centre and will give local residents a choice when looking for their preferred way to enjoy the outdoors!
A second consultation took place throughout the day on Tuesday 26th March. Local residents dropped in to find out more about our plans. Everyone who came along were happy with the overall plan and several gave us their contact details so that they can become project volunteers when appropriate.
Following the second public consultation, the steering group met to draft the “Terms of Reference” – a document that would be required by potential funders such as the National Lottery (we intend to submit a bid under their Awards For All fund). We also had to confirm the exact boundary between the Phoenix Centre and the Youth Centre.
As at October 2025, this is how the Phoenix Centre garden looks
And this how we hope it will look in time for the 2026 growing season.
