'Momentous' decision as Inverness land earmarked for housing to become 'green hub'
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A landmark decision which will allow a green hub to be created in a fast-growing part of Inverness has been hailed as a "momentous milestone".
The decision to overturn the refusal of a transfer of ownership from the Scottish Government to the local community has paved the way for the Knocknagael charity to take on the land.
The group is planning to create allotments, an orchard, community growing areas and paths on the Smiddy Field that is part of a bull stud farm owned by the government. It is situated just off the city's Southern Distributor Road close to the Essich Roundabout at Holm.
An application for a community asset transfer had been rejected by the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) last summer, who stated that the land for the proposed Knocknagael Green Hub was “integral” to the operation of the farm and that handing it over to the community group would increase costs to crofters who hire bulls from the farm at a subsidised rate.
The refusal also stated that, in the longer term, the location would provide wider public benefit and better value for money if it was used for housing, with allotments on an alternative site.
But after a hearing and site visit in March, a review panel recommended to Scottish ministers that the earlier decision be overturned, and that the Smiddy Field transfer should be allowed to go ahead, subject to certain conditions.
The decision, which has now been accepted by ministers, has been welcomed as a victory for the local community by Inverness MP Drew Hendry.
He said: "This is fantastic news for local people, and it is a recognition of the determination, drive and vision of the neighbourhood volunteers who make up the Knocknagael company.
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"I'm also grateful to the Scottish Government minister, Tom Arthur MSP, for listening to local people, seeing what an opportunity this is, and acting to allow this.
"I know that building an even stronger sense of community through this green hub project at Knocknagael is at the heart of the plans."
The report from the review is due to be published this week, and Maria de la Torre, chairwoman of the community organisation, is "over the moon" at the decision to allow the transfer.
"We cannot believe we have finally reached the point where we are able to move," she said. "This has been a long road with hours of volunteer time dedicated to the project. While we still have much to do, it feels like a momentous milestone in the journey, and we hope the decisive advice from the panel recommending the asset transfer goes ahead is followed by a speedy response from RPID.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take forward a transformative project to benefit Inverness communities, which will also safeguard the future of the farm.
"We still have quite a way to go before finalising matters, such as securing funding and agreeing specific conditions of transfer. We want to thank everyone who supported us and helped us get this far. We look forward to a good working relationship with all partners and neighbours including the farm at Knocknagael."
In reaching its decision, the review panel agreed with Knocknagael Ltd that RPID’s decision had not been made objectively and that significant benefits of the Knocknagael Green Hub and strong community support for the project had not been taken sufficiently into account.
Following a Freedom of Information request, Knocknagael Ltd challenged RPID’s assertion that the Smiddy Field was essential to the farm, and that its loss would jeopardise the bull hire scheme.
The community group said that it, and all other parties, were committed to ensuring that there is no threat to the bull hire scheme or the wider crofting community.
The panel concluded that Knocknagael had met the tests under the Community Empowerment Act (2015) and that it was clear that the project would have community benefits, noting that the evidence provided was realistic, measured and well considered.
Highlands and Islands Green MSP Ariane Burgess said: “Having worked with the community for some time, and made their case in parliament, this decision is testament to the tenacity and commitment of the volunteers who have led this process over the last eight years.
"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.
"Knocknagael’s plans to develop the Smiddy Field site into a community green hub are exactly what Inverness needs as volume housebuilders seek to free up more land to expand the urban sprawl.”
The charity developed its proposals with the support of a Scottish Land Fund grant and intends to move soon to the next stage of purchasing the field.
