Allotments land a funding boost

The Rosebank Allotment Association in Merkland Drive, Kirkintilloch, has been provisionally approved to gain a share of a £30,000 cash windfall.

The allotments are an important way of helping some people facing challenging personal circumstances to develop new interests and perspectives.

At the same time they’ve brought waste land back into productive use.

East Dunbartonshire Council matched £15,000 secured from the Stalled Spaces Scotland scheme, and eight projects across East Dunbartonshire are currently being assessed.

The council secured funding from Stalled Spaces Scotland to help breathe new life into stalled development sites, green spaces or vacant and derelict land.

Now discussions with other groups are taking place to help deliver the scheme in a further two locations.

Councillor Alan Moir, convener of development and regeneration, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to engage with the programme and submit ideas for improving their areas. All of the applications were judged according to a criteria laid down by the Stalled Spaces programme.

“It’s important to stress that unsuccessful applicants from round one will be strongly encouraged to apply again, with the project team available to provide feedback and information on how the applications can be improved.

“The small grants will help to revitalise areas which were previously derelict or disused - giving the community a sense of ownership and boosting social regeneration. In addition, it could help to reduce anti-social behaviour, encourage active healthy lifestyles, attract business and investment, and lead to more partnership working.”