An environmental group in Moray is forging ahead with plans to transform a public park into a fruit and vegetable patch.
The Elgin Allotment Association (EAA) finally found a home in the town last year after nearly a decade of searching.
Now permission has been given by Moray Council to convert about an acre of the Pinefield playing fields into plots for planting in a £120,000 project.
Turf near Ashgrove Road will be made available for gardeners eager to hone their green-fingered skills.
Residents have already joined a waiting list for an allotment and last night EAA members were “delighted” at the announcement.
But acting chairwoman Rebecca Kail said years of frustration while searching for a home had taken its toll on the size of the group.
She said: “We had a lot of members keen to be involved at the start but it has taken so long to get this far.
“Most people’s circumstances have changed, some have moved away from the area, others have done their bit of campaigning and just want to do practical gardening.
“Everyone has worked really hard over the years and we’ve made it – we’ve now got a site. We just need some new energy for this next phase.”
Concerns were raised during the planning process about emergency access for ambulances to the pitches.
However council officers concluded there was would still be enough space for vehicles to get into the park once the allotments were there.
The group will lease the ground, which is owned by Moray Council.
Dorothy Allan, acting secretary of EAA, said it would now approach funders.
She said: “We have lots of people on the waiting lists for plot but before they can all get digging we’ll need some funding to pay for the set-up costs, so someone has to apply for this.
“We need fences, paths, sheds and water butts and we’ll need to meet the council and discuss the lease.”
Both Mrs Kail and Mrs Allan are now intending to step down from their roles to hand the duties on to others.
Anyone eager to get involved in the allotments should attend EAA’s annual meeting on Thursday, April 20 at Elgin Library at 6.30pm.
