New community farm in Lancing
Welcome to our dedicated webpage where you can find out more about plans to convert land at Old Salts Farm in Lancing into a community farm.
What is proposed?
A large disused piece of land on Old Salts Farm Road in Lancing is set to be transformed into a vibrant, inclusive and accessible space for residents of the local community to connect with nature and learn new skills.
Photo: The Old Salts Farm land as it currently appears
The property is owned by Adur District Council and formerly housed the Riverside Equestrian Center but has been vacant since the end of the lease in 2024 and the tenant has chosen not to enter into a new lease.
Photo: The old stable buildings
We have since undertaken an open expressions of interest process to find a new council tenant who can bring the site back into use for the benefit of the community.
We are pleased to announce that not-for-profit company Apron Creative has been appointed to convert the space into a community farm, subject to tenancy agreements and planning permission.
The Apron Community Farm, as it will be called, will become a place where the local community can connect with each other to grow food and learn new skills in a natural environment.
The project is expected to take five years to fully develop. Apron will work with the community to develop the website. Initial ideas include elements of regenerative agriculture such as a nursery and an orchard, but also spaces for wellbeing and therapy sessions, an educational space, an area for a forest school for children, ponds and workshop spaces where traditional craftsmen can share their skills.
Photos: Children planting trees and sowing seeds at Apron Community Garden, Buckingham Park, Shoreham-by-Sea
Working with a number of local organizations including the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, Apron Creative will create a biodiverse wetland habitat to reduce local flood risk. The phased plan also includes the creation of a community garden, orchard and nursery, providing residents with new opportunities for volunteering and learning.
Apron has worked with local architectural firm ECE Architecture on the design for the farm and plans to repurpose the existing derelict buildings on the site, subject to planning permission.
Lis Long, the founder of Apron Creative, said:
“The Community Farm project is the latest step in our journey, all with the aim of creating vibrant, inclusive green spaces where people from all walks of life can come together and thrive alongside nature.
“We promote biodiversity and natural ecosystems, supporting people in the community and offering them the opportunity to share and learn new skills, whether in horticulture or traditional crafts that are at risk of being lost.”
Where is Old Salts Farm?
The land known as Old Salts Farm is located on Old Salts Farm Road in Lancing. In total, the site is around four hectares in size, which is just over two football fields.
Adur District Council owns the land, which was most recently leased by Riverside Equestrian Centre.
The site has a rich history and was historically used for salt farming and then vegetable growing until the mid-20th century.
What is Apron Creative CIC?
Apron Creative is a grassroots community interest company (CIC) founded by Lis Long, a mother of two from Shoreham. Starting with small community arts and crafts workshops, Apron has since grown a thriving community garden in Buckingham Park, providing residents, schools, groups and food banks with fresh, healthy produce and a space to be creative in nature.
The organization also hosts events such as the annual Shoreham Light Parade and takes part in initiatives such as Sussex Craft Week.
For more information about Apron's inclusive community sessions, workshops, events and volunteer opportunities, visit:
How is the project financed?
The project has so far been funded by small grants from Sussex-based funder The Pearce Foundation and our Kitchen Table program in collaboration with Funding People. However, given the scale of the development, Apron has also launched a crowdfunder campaign to generate more support.
To find out more about the crowdfunder campaign, please visit:
Interact with the community
We recently held a community information session with Apron Creative CIC for residents to learn more about the site. At this meeting we explained the selection process, shared the vision for the site and outlined how to engage residents. There was time for questions and discussion, with an invitation to ask further questions as the project progressed.
Over the past year, Apron Creative has also run a series of community engagement sessions across Lancing, with Electric Storm Youth, Seaside Primary School, Adur Voluntary Action and Lancing Parish Council. Having helped create its new location on Orient Road, Apron Lancing Community Garden has also shared its skills and experience in permaculture design and gardening to support the local community.
Photo: Apron's community engagement event at Seaside Primary School
Back to the top