Consultant appointed to take forward ambitious Derry Acorn Farm plans

Paul McAlister Architects are delighted to be appointed as architects for Derry’s ambitious Acorn Farm Project. We are appointed with Doran Consulting Engineering as part of a multi-disciplinary team to design, deliver and project manage the capital project.

The Acorn Farm, which is based at St Columb’s Park, is a social innovation project supporting skills development through food growing and production.

This sustainable food hub will embrace innovative climate smart technology for local food production while progressing new culinary practices and food systems. Once completed the Acorn Farm will be an iconic eco-tourism and visitor attraction as well as a focal point for community climate action and food growing

Menber of the Design team along with Derry Council representatives

In addition to this appointment, Paul McAlister Architects has also been confirmed to lead on the development of the Gatelodge at the entrance of the park.

Both projects are funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and led by Derry City and Strabane District Council, working in partnership with the Community Foundation’s Acorn Fund and the Conservation Volunteers

Once completed the project will feature special grow domes, glasshouses, an orchard and an apiary, with facilities for water harvesting and solar harvesting, all promoting sustainable approaches to growing food both responsibly and economically. The overall budget of £6.2m will provide a unique urban growing space for the city.

Welcoming this latest milestone in the project, the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said: “This is a really innovative and ambitious initiative which will help change people’s perceptions about growing food and raise awareness about the benefits of growing food at home.

“As well as teaching practical skills it will provide a unique learning environment and will be central to environmental activity at one of the city’s most important green spaces. I’m delighted to have reached this stage in the project and look forward to seeing it progress over the coming months.”

Speaking on behalf of the Acorn Fund, Shana Kelpie said: “We have reached another important step today in this really exciting project for the city. As pressures continue to grow in terms of the cost of living, it’s even more important that we continue to explore new avenues when it comes to food production providing people with the knowledge and skills to become more self-sufficient. The environmental benefits will also be significant, helping to raise awareness about conservation and more sustainable practices.”

Robert Shearman from the Conservation Volunteers said: “The Acorn Farm will be a fantastic attraction within the wider St Columb’s Park, which is such an important shared green space for the City. It will greatly improve the sustainable food growing sector locally and I hope it will inspire both businesses and householders to explore new approaches to food production.”