Grow Heathrow, Community garden and squatter house in Sipson, England
Grow Heathrow is a squatter-occupied house with an adjoining productive garden in Sipson, where residents have transformed a neglected property into a functioning food-growing space. The site includes greenhouses for vegetable cultivation and workshop areas where community members gather for various practical activities.
The project took root in 2010 when residents reclaimed a derelict site and cleared significant amounts of waste and debris from the land. Over time it developed into a self-sustaining community space that has persisted despite ongoing pressures from authorities.
The place serves as a gathering point where residents share knowledge about sustainable living practices and learn from one another in everyday practice. The way resources and skills are exchanged here reflects a commitment to community self-reliance rather than commercial transaction.
Visitors can join workshops on permaculture design, bicycle repair, and woodworking that are offered throughout the year. It is helpful to reach out beforehand to find out when visits are welcome and what activities are currently running.
To resist removal efforts, residents have dug underground tunnels and attached themselves to on-site structures, including a wind turbine tower, creating a living system of resistance. This unusual form of direct action demonstrates the depth of community commitment to defending the space.
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