Members of St Ninian’s Episcopal Church in Troon have been given the go-ahead to establish a community garden.
The group sought planning permission from South Ayrshire Council for a change of use of church land to allow the project to get underway.
The local authority has now given their blessing to the proposal.
In a supporting statement the group representing St Ninian’s Episcopal Church said: “In light of the climate crisis and the food insecurity that may bring we would like to share with our communities the land around our church as a resource to grow food sustainably and learn together about growing food ecologically.
“We are looking for partnerships with community organisations who also promote our values of generosity, friendship, justice (both for the earth and for people) and diversity to share good practice and resources.
“Positive relationship with neighbours, council and the community are important to us so we will want to inform, consult and communicate as much and as clearly as possible. We want to work with the constraints of council planning and the conservation area we are in. We are interested in the ideas of others.”
Their planning statement continues: “Initially, we are looking to use a small part of the site in the south-west corner to plant some fruit trees, some berry bushes, four raised beds and a storage box for tools, pots and other material that can be used in common.
“We hope to find partners who are interested in cultivating one or more raised beds.
“As the project gains momentum, we hope more people and organisations might get involved and then we hope to review and expand the area of the site we use.
“The organisation and finances of the community garden will rest with the garden committee. The garden committee will report to and inform St. Ninian’s Vestry.
“There will always need to be one member of Vestry on the garden committee. The Vestry of St. Ninian’s will be consulted on any major decisions regarding the garden. Any larger meetings with the community will be chaired by the chair of St. Ninian’s Vestry.”
In approving the plan, council papers said: “It is not considered that the use of the small area of the church grounds to be utilised for the community garden would have any detrimental impact on the setting, character or appearance of the listed building or Troon Conservation Area.
“It is not considered that the church, or its grounds, will be adversely impacted by the proposal.”