In a welcome piece of good news on the community gardening front, the Scottish Government has blocked plans for a housing development in Glasgow, saving North Kelvin Meadow for the community.
In 2008 a community group was formed to clean up and develop an area of green space formerly occupied by playing fields in Maryhill, and to campaign for it to be kept as a community green space. Today there are community raised beds, individual raised-bed allotments, a community orchard, composting facilities, a wild flower meadow – now one of the largest orchid sites in Glasgow – and a wood, with 10m (30ft) trees.
Despite overwhelming local support for the community garden (the most recent survey found 94% of local residents in favour) Glasgow City Council proposed to sell the land to a property developer – but in December the Scottish Government rejected its planning application and accepted the alternative community use plan.
Douglas Peacock, spokesperson for North Kelvin Meadow, says, “Scottish Ministers have made the right decision, as it supports a healthier community for young and old alike; it also backs a community having its say on what happens within their area. There are some good well-worded planning policies out there; the problem’s been that when it comes to crunch time the decision often goes the way of the property developer and against green space that benefits communities. Not this time though!”
Find out more at https://northkelvinmeadow.com/
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