A bid to encourage food-growing on new developments has scooped a national award.
 

Brighton and Hove City Council received a highly commended award in the “Innovation” category at the Constructing Excellence in London and the South East Awards.
 

The prize recognised the local authority implementing the UK’s first Food Planning Advice Note which asks developers to consider food- growing space in new schemes.
 

As a result, numbers of applications with food growing included have grown from one per cent to about a third.
 

Among examples are the Park House scheme in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, and the One Brighton development near Brighton station.
 

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “This is a lovely idea which deserves an award.
“Growing crops within developments provides healthy, eco-friendly food as well as leisure activity and learning opportunities. It can also bring neighbours and communities together.”