New life for Grenfell Allotments polytunnel through partnership supporting SEND students

A previously disused polytunnel at Grenfell Allotments, transformed into a vibrant, inclusive learning space is now being actively used by SEND students from Walsall College.

The project is the result of partnership working between Walsall-based civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale, the Towns Fund, Walsall College, Walsall Council’s Healthy Spaces Team and the Grenfell Allotments Management Committee. Together, the partners have brought new life to a space that had fallen out of use, turning it into an accessible facility with clear community benefit.

The project introduced brand-new accessible doors, and raised flower beds and improved ventilation ensuring the facility is fully inclusive for Walsall College students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

As a result, SEND students from Walsall College are now benefiting from regular access to the site. The polytunnel provides hands-on outdoor learning opportunities, supports the development of practical and life skills, and offers a calm, therapeutic environment tailored to students’ needs.

The project has empowered students to take true ownership of the space. By maintaining beds, planting new produce, and managing harvests, students are developing essential life skills, confidence, and resilience to support their transition beyond college life.

Councillor Louise Harrison, the Mayor of Walsall said: “I thank you all for coming together and bringing partners into one place to celebrate the success of this collaborative work which has been focused on bringing the communal polytunnel back into active use after so many years.”

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said: “I want to thank our Healthy Spaces team and our Partners for their hard work in bringing this polytunnel to active use. This project is a shining example of what we can achieve when we work together. By pooling our resources, we have turned an underutilised space into a high-quality environment that promotes health, inclusion, and opportunity for college students, people of Bloxwich and the wider Walsall area.”

The restoration was made possible through a collaborative effort involving:

• Through the Towns Fund, a specialist company was hired to re-cover the polytunnel and install new accessible doors and improved ventilation, ensuring the space is usable and inclusive for everyone.
• Barhale and BCS group, Travis Perkins, Flannery Plant Hire and Speedy: Transformed the site into a safe, accessible hub featuring new pathways and raised flower beds.
• Walsall College: Integrating the space into the curriculum for SEND students.
• Walsall Council’s Healthy Spaces Team: Played a central role in coordinating the project, aligning all partners to achieve a successful outcome.
• Grenfell Allotments Management Committee: The committee’s work has been instrumental in creating this inclusive community hub. Their efforts ensure that the new polytunnel remains an accessible environment for all of Walsall.

The Grenfell Road Allotment Committee has been instrumental in ensuring the site remains a welcoming green hub. The new polytunnel is now a bustling centre of activity, used regularly by community groups, plot holders, and residents.

Luana Bills, Barhale Social Impact and Sustainability Manager, said: “The vision was always to create an invaluable local community asset. The dedication of the committee and our partners have turned this vision into a reality, creating a space that is truly inclusive for everyone.”

The successful completion of the site marks a significant milestone in Walsall’s commitment to improving community assets and fostering a greener, more supportive environment for residents.