Preparing the ground for community growing plan in Inverness neighbourhood
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Plans to create a community food growing area on unused land next to an Inverness supermarket are moving forward.
The project is being led by Holm Community Council, which says there is local public support to create a growing space next to the Tesco store in Dores Road.
It is now preparing a planning application to use the plot, which measures just 25m x 25m, for growing fruit, flowers and vegetables available and accessible for all.
The land – which was transferred into the ownership of Highland Council at the time Tesco Stores received planning consent for its Ness-side outlet – has been sitting empty.
The proposal is for volunteers to transform the area by planting a broad range of vegetables and fruit.
The plans also include raised beds, which would be accessible to wheelchair users, a wildflower meadow with mowed paths and log stools, a pergola or archway with climbing plants, benches and a shed or shelter for storage and potential space for potting.
The project is also 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.
Community council chairman Murray McCheyne intends to submit the application to Highland Council by the end of this month but is keen to hear locals’ views.
"We would hope to start work this summer subject to the plans being approved," he said.
"All the feedback so far has been really positive.
"No one has said it is a bad idea.
"We really want to hear from the public in our community as to what they think about this.
"We want to use the next two weeks as a time to consult the community."
If it gets the go-ahead, there will be sponsorship opportunities for companies.
Email views to chair@holmcommunitycouncil.org.uk, or go to holmcommunitycouncil.org.uk for details.
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