About us

Marsh Street Arches and Garden Community Interest Company.

We are a Community Interest Company, (not for profit) working for the benefit of the community registered with Companies House as a Company limited by guarantee. Reg number: 06518159.

Our voluntary Board of Directors and members of Company consists of members of the local community and local business people who provide our professional advice in regard to finance and accounting. Currently (Feb 2019) we have four directors and one member.

Through several years voluntary hard work, with the help of various partners and after securing an 85 year lease agreement from the local authority, we have developed and manage two areas of previously derelict land. The two plots of land are divided by several vacant railway arches owned by Network Rail.

The first plot was developed as a user friendly green open space in which people can enjoy, relax in and possibly take part in a range of activities. This was completed in July 2008 and officially named Green Heart Den by local school children.

In 2011 we secured a tenancy agreement for 4 of the adjacent railway arches from Network Rail and have installed new, secure gated entrances to them.

The second similar sized plot of derelict land we have developed as a community "grow your own" scheme which includes; 28 raised planters, a poly tunnel, log cabin, planted borders, seating, a small orchard, and a wildlife area. This was completed in August 2012.

We always recognised that the full involvement of local people would not only provide the best opportunity for long term sustainability of the project but would also help with the wider social and economic regeneration of the area, providing people with skills and confidence to start new projects, access training or further education or find employment either within the project or elsewhere.