Community garden plans for Bothwell

Nov 5 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANS for a Bothwell allotment scheme in a derelict playing field were this week given the go-ahead by councillors.

Scottish Ministers, however, will have the final say on The Organic Growers of Bothwell’s application for a community garden with raised beds because government agency sportscotland have reservations over the loss of a playing pitch.

The organic growers are ready to start the project on land formerly occupied by Bothwell Primary School as soon as they get the green light from ministers. They anticipate the garden, comprising 54 raised beds, polytunnels and a potting shed, will take two months to set up.

Earlier this year, the group were awarded a grant of £194,354 from the Climate Challenge Fund as the project is expected to reduce the community’s carbon footprint.

They expressed delight this week at the planning committee’s decision to approve the scheme.

Sheena Walker of The Organic Growers of Bothwell said this week: “We’re very pleased to have got through this hurdle.

“Once we’ve got the final go-ahead, we will be able to do our bit to cut down on food miles by growing produce locally and helping to tackle climate change.”

Almost 70 people have enlisted to grow produce on the raised beds and a waiting list has been established.

A wildlife garden and bog garden will also be installed as part of the scheme.

Five letters of objection from residents neighbouring the site had been lodged with planners.

Concerns included loss of privacy, noise, disturbance and unacceptable smells.

However, planning chief Colin McDowall rejected these concerns.

He also pointed out that while some trees would have to be cut down at the site, other plants would replace them.

Mr McDowall said: “The proposal to establish a community garden is considered to be acceptable and in accordance with local plan policy.

“It is therefore recommended that planning consent be granted.

“However, as the proposal results in the loss of an area of land previously used as a sports pitch and sportscotland have objected, the application requires to be referred to Scottish Ministers for determination.”