Plans for new community woodland near Milton of Leys reach major milestone
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An initiative to transform two fields near the A9 south of Inverness into a community woodland with allotments and food-growing areas is moving in the right direction.
This comes as Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee approved a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of land on the edge of Inverness at Braes of Balvonie today.
Balvonie Park Association applied for the land as part of their plans to develop the land, which is currently countryside, into a vibrant and vital resource for the community.
The aim is to convert the area into a community woodland, orchard, allotments, food growing areas and pathways for recreation and leisure.
Chair of Highland Council’s communities and place committee, councillor Graham MacKenzie, said: “The approval of this forward-thinking Community Asset Transfer application, underlines the Council’s commitment to its ‘Our Future Highland’ programme, which aims to help build resilient and sustainable communities and a sustainable Highland environment.
“The proposed use of this land will not only have a positive impact on biodiversity in the area, but also provide vital food growing areas, allotments and opportunities for recreation and leisure.”
He added: “Successful community asset transfers like this are extremely positive for our communities and the Council remains committed to enabling increased community ownership, which is not only a Scottish national outcome, but a priority for Highland Council.
“Community asset transfers contribute to one of the Council’s key strategic priorities which aims to encourage community-led and run services involving more people in local decision making.”
Balvonie Park Association has secured funding from SSEN to support the proposed developments and has prepared supporting plans.
The approval is part of Highland Council’s Growing our Future – Community Food Growing Strategy which aims to help support community groups in accessing Council land through simple agreements – such as leases and licences to occupy.
Highland Council’s Growing Our Future – Community Food Growing Annual Report can be viewed at Item 8 of the report to today’s Communities and Place Committee.
Balvonie Park Association’s plans aim to encourage food growing by the community, generate income from allotments/food growing areas, and to develop of community and education spaces for use by local businesses.
Community Asset Transfer requests can be made under the Community Empowerment Act and the application approved today by Councillors is subject to terms of transfer.
Details on community asset transfers in Highland and how to apply for them can be found on the council’s website at highland.gov.uk/cat.
