A popular Elgin tourist attraction that is looked after by a group of dedicated volunteers will continue to thrive, after Moray Council scrapped plans to sell off the land next door.
The Biblical Gardens is a well-loved and popular place every summer, with tourists flocking from throughout the world to explore all 110 species of plant which are mentioned in the bible, as well as likenesses of some religious figures.
It is maintained by a group of volunteers and horticultural students who use the neighbouring piece of land to store their equipment in greenhouses, potting sheds, polytunnels and tool sheds.
However, the local authority had earmarked that site to sell off to a potential hotel developer and labelled it “an opportunity” in their Moray Local Development plan.
A campaign was subsequently launched by horticulture students and lecturers at Moray College to keep the land as it is now.
They argued that if they were kicked out, it would be harder to maintain the garden. Eventually, the council received about 150 representations from worried residents asking them to reconsider their plans.
That has been the catalyst for officers recommending the site remains the same and they will present their findings to councillors during the planning committee tomorrow.
Gary Templeton, principal planning officer at Moray Council, said: “Approximately 150 representations have been received opposing the designation of the walled garden as an
opportunity site, especially for a potential hotel use.
“In addition to these representations, feedback from commercial hotel operators suggest that the site lacks the road frontage they would want to be commercially viable.
“Following further discussion with Greenfingers and Moray College, it has been recommended that the site designation is changed to “CF6 Walled Garden”, with the site safeguarded for educational and training facilities primarily related to horticulture, gardening and outdoor education.”
Sam Bright, head of curriculum at Moray College, is keen to utilise the amenity as an educational centre for students.
She said: “It’s a great place, because students get to work in a real-life setting and school pupils can come and do horticultural studies.
“We even had an Erasmus student for the first time as they really liked the landscape.
“We are looking at creating an educational trust between Greenfingers, Moray College and the Friends of the Biblical Gardens and create an educational environment to redevelop part of it as allotments to use for studying.”
Horticulture students tend to the site during term time, with the Friends of the Biblical Gardens group continuing the work during the summer.
Greenfingers Training Service, which works with adults with learning difficulties, also make extensive use of the facilities.
