How could this field transform a growing corner of Inverness?
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A community group in Inverness wants to create a "green hub" in a growing area of the city.
Knocknagael Ltd plans to take ownership of a 20-acre field at Holm and use it to create community walks, allotments, an orchard, polytunnels and other growing areas for community food production.
The group had an application to transfer ownership of the Smiddy Field from the Scottish Government refused last summer.
Ministers said the land at the government-run bull stud farm was integral to operation of the farm and that passing it to the community group would increase costs to crofters who hire bulls at a subsidised rate.
After refusal last year, the community group asked for a review of the decision, which was granted by Tom Arthur, the minister for public finance, planning and community wealth.
Where is the appeal up to?
The community group is awaiting a decision on its appeal. A hearing was held in Inverness in March and a decision is expected in the next few weeks.
Maria de la Torre, Knocknagael Ltd’s chairwoman, said: “The field and project is so strategically important for the area. If we don’t secure it now, it is never going to happen.
“There is very broad and growing community support for the project, highlighted in our public consultation.
“If we do not realise our aims, we really feel it will be a lost opportunity for the community and the city of Inverness.
“The Scottish Government is so keen on community empowerment as policy, trying to diversify land and give more access to communities.
“Opposing our aspirations for Knocknagael just flies in the face of their own aims and this notion of them being open to work with the community.”
Related stories
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- D-Day approaches for bid to take green space into community ownership
- Call to hand over Inverness field to community despite rejection from Scottish Government
Community support
Knocknagael Ltd's 2020 consultation received more than 340 responses of support, while there has been significant opposition voiced to developing the site for housing.
The review hearing panel consisted of retired civil servant Paul Cackette, a former chief planning reporter to the Scottish Government, ecologist and forester Judith Webb, and Russell Smith, a crofter based near Bonar Bridge who is a director of the Scottish Crofting Federation.
The plans drawn up by Knocknagael Ltd have been supported by politicians including the Green Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess and Inverness MP Drew Hendry.
“As one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, it’s vital that Inverness balances the need to create homes with the needs of communities to access and make use of our green space,” Ms Burgess said.
“Knocknagael’s plans are exactly what Inverness needs as volume housebuilders seek to free up more land to expand the urban sprawl.
“The Scottish Government supporting Knocknagael would demonstrate their support of the recently revised planning framework that prioritises tackling our climate and nature emergencies and acknowledges the need to provide more local food growing spaces in cities."
