Lease is granted to help establish Bothwell allotment.

Feb 18 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A 15-YEAR lease was granted this week for allotment land in Bothwell.

Planning permission for the Organic Growers of Bothwell’s scheme for a community garden, including 54 raised beds, on land beside Bothwell Primary School was given the go-ahead at the end of last year.

Around 70 people had enlisted to grow produce on the raised beds and a waiting list had been established.

On Tuesday, South Lanarkshire’s estates committee approved a lease for the Blantyre Road/Imperial Way site of £1 per annum.

The council’s executive director Colin McDowall told councillors: “The Organic Growers of Bothwell have advised that initial construction costs will be £196,000.

“Funding has been obtained from the Climate Challenge Fund, but is conditional upon the grant of the lease from the council.

“Community Resources operate allotments at East Kilbride and Rutherglen under the council’s existing allotments strategy, but both facilities have waiting lists.

“The provision of the raised beds would potentially reduce the waiting lists.

“The facility would be managed by the Trust in accordance with the rules and regulations for the council and community-run allotments located on council land.

“The Trust wish to involve the local community, including Bothwell Primary School with Montessori Nursery School and Out of School Care/Bothwell Childminding Group.”

It was further pointed out that the current rental value of the land was estimated at £100 per annum.

Mr McDowall added: “The proposed rental of £1 per annum, therefore, represents a concession of £99 per annum.”