People across Moray will soon have the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
Moray Council has given the go-ahead for allotments at Pinefield in Elgin.
Members of the corporate committee agreed to lease the land to Elgin Allotment Association at a November meeting.
The local authority has a duty to provide gardening spaces for folk if there is a waiting list of at least 15.
There are already 23 people keen to take on an allotment.
The group will manage the land and pay the council a yearly rent of £1.
‘False horizons’
But as the council has a duty to provide allotments, allowing the association to take charge of them will save the authority £2,700 per annum.
Councillor for Elgin North Jeremie Fernandes said: “I do love an allotment.
“They’re good for biodiversity and they’re great for mental health.”
Member for Fochabers Lhanbryde Marc Macrae praised the work and passion put in by the allotment association over many years.
He said: “It’s nice to see this come forward, and hopefully things can move on.
“There’s great interest for folk growing their own food now, and it’s a good tool to get out there and get fresh air.”
Elgin South councillor Graham Leadbitter commended the group for sticking with their ambitions to secure an allotment site.
He said: “They’ve had a lot of false horizons.
“And in some areas, they’ve had to deal with some quite significant opposition.
“They’ve been desperate for allotments for at least 10 years.
“They’ve stuck with it and I think they’ve got just reward for their effort.”
‘I love an allotment’
Committee chairwoman Bridget Mustard asked for the site to be designed so people of all abilities can enjoy the benefits of growing their own produce.
Although applications are open to anyone in Moray, people in Elgin will get priority for an allotment.
Conversation