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Inverness food plan may be a grower


By Val Sweeney

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Murray McCheyne, chairman of Holm Community Council, by a piece of land next to Ness-side Tesco store....Picture: Callum Mackay..
Murray McCheyne, chairman of Holm Community Council, by a piece of land next to Ness-side Tesco store....Picture: Callum Mackay..

A small unused patch of land next to an Inverness supermarket could be transformed into a community growing project.

Holm Community Council is looking at the possibility of creating a growing space on the land next to the Tesco store in Dores Road.

Although the plot measures just 25m x 25m, it has been suggested it could provide a small space for volunteers in the local community to grow fruit, flowers and vegetables available and accessible for all.

The community council is now seeking feedback from local residents to gauge the level of support for such a venture.

Community council chairman Murray McCheyne stressed no decision has been made yet, but if it did go ahead it could involve linking up with Incredible Edible Inverness, the UK’s most northerly group of the Incredible Edible Network which aims to plant up spare pieces of ground with fresh produce and to encourage people to take what they need while bringing communities together.

“We are really excited about this new project, the first of its kind in our community council area,” he said.

“It is hoped that we will be able to partner with Incredible Edible Inverness in delivering this.”

He said for too long the land – which was transferred into the ownership of Highland Council at the time Tesco Stores received planning consent for its Ness-side store – had been sitting empty, waiting for something to happen.

“This is a great way to not just use the land but to encourage everyone in our community to see what can be achieved in a small space,” he said.

“Hopefully, it will inspire people to be creative about their own gardens too, as well as being a great asset to our area.

“Judging by the initial comments we’ve received on our Facebook page, this is something capturing people’s imaginations.

“We are looking forward to seeing what grows out of this.”

He was keen to hear what people thought about it – whether they felt it was a terrible idea, or whether they thought it was great and wanted to get involved.

He said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated the drive to see the land put to good use.

“We have talked about this bit of ground in the community council a few times,” he said.

“There has not really been an obvious use which has presented itself to see this asset which is doing nothing being put to some positive purpose.”

A Zoom meeting for all who are interested will be held on February 16 at 7pm.

Anyone interested should contact the community council via its website holmcommunitycouncil.org.uk for the link.


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