Campaigners in London have called on the Greater London Authority (GLA) to introduce a city-wide "Right to Grow" framework, allowing communities to convert unused public land into allotments, community gardens and orchards. While several boroughs, including Hounslow, Southwark and Hackney, already operate such schemes, campaigners want City Hall to create a standardised model that all 32 boroughs and the City of London could adopt, arguing this would improve food security and biodiversity while cutting through bureaucratic barriers.

A new report from the London People's Assembly on Food, Nature and the Right to Grow sets out 12 demands, including community growing officers in every borough, aiming to make London "greener and more edible" by 2035. The push comes amid severe shortages of growing space: at least 30,500 Londoners are on allotment waiting lists, 16 boroughs are closed to new applicants, and waits in Camden can reach 12 years, according to a 2023 Greenpeace freedom of information request. Deputy mayor Mete Coban said increasing access to green space was a matter of social and environmental justice, citing 640,000 trees planted and a £12m Green Roots Fund, though City Hall has not confirmed whether it will adopt the proposed framework.