Community organisation seeks land in Newcastle to create sustainable bamboo park

A North Staffordshire community organisation exploring the benefits of bamboo for people and the planet is seeking land in Newcastle-under-Lyme to create a new sustainable park.

Brilliant Bamboo, founded in 2023 by Gemma Thomas, is looking for a brownfield site or field of up to one acre where it can establish its second bamboo parklet.

The organisation launched its first parklet in July last year on a disused concrete area behind Sainsbury’s car park in Stoke town centre. This has since been transformed into a vibrant space hosting workshops, community activities, corporate away days and large-scale events including circus performances.

More than 400 bamboo plants are currently growing at the Stoke site in moveable planters, but the proposed Newcastle parklet would allow bamboo to be planted directly into the ground, enabling longer-term research and environmental impact.

The project aims to explore how bamboo can contribute to sustainability, wellbeing and environmental improvement, including its potential to absorb carbon, improve air quality and support urban biodiversity.

Gemma said: “Over the past six months, we’ve seen how a neglected, grey space can be transformed into something joyful, welcoming and full of life. Our Stoke parklet has become a place where people come together, slow down and reconnect with nature.

“Bamboo is an incredibly resilient and fast-growing plant that absorbs carbon efficiently, produces more oxygen, and offers an alternative to timber. We use our work to explore biodiversity and look to improve the areas for all plants, wildlife and people. Our projects and bamboo are ideal for regenerating underused sites.

“We’re now keen to bring that same sense of possibility to Newcastle following our recent education and engagement events in the town centre. We’re specifically looking for land that isn’t currently being used. If any landowners, businesses or organisations think they could help, we’d love to start a conversation.”

The Newcastle parklet will be funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) through Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Anyone who can suggest a suitable plot of land with public access is invited to contact Gemma at gemma@brilliantbamboo.co.uk