Yahoo News Plans for new allotments next to BrewDog's Ellon HQ approved
Ellon residents will soon be able to grow their own fresh fruit and vegetables as plans for new allotments have been given the green light.
Ellon Community Allotments initially submitted plans for the development at Balmacassie earlier this year.
The site is located across the road from the Balmacassie Community Woodland, and just yards away from craft beer giant BrewDog’s HQ.
It will have 55 plots of various sizes, the larger of which will have sheds for owners to store tools or other gardening essentials.
But that’s not all. The development will also include two polytunnels, a storage area and tool store, along with composting toilets.
Car and bicycle parking spaces will also be added for those travelling to the site. However, new paths will be created to ensure plot owners can safely walk to the allotments if they wish.
The group behind the project explained that there is a demand for allotments in Ellon. There are only nine plots in the town, found on Gordon Terrace, and there are currently 20 people on its waiting list.
But despite this, it is believed more folk in the area would want an allotment to call their own. A recent survey carried out by the local authority revealed that 58 residents expressed an interest in taking on a plot.
In their supporting statement, the group said: “There is strong support for allotments from the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council in recognition of the mental and physical benefits they bring. There is a clear demand for new allotments in Ellon with a current demonstrable unmet demand.”
The community group had been working closely with Aberdeenshire Council to find a suitable site for allotments in Ellon. A number of options were found but later ruled out.
These included Craigs Road Park, Auchterellon Park and Auchterellon Farm, as well as other small sites. However, the local authority suggested the Balmacassie site could be used and the plans were then formed.
The allotment proposal went before the Formartine area committee this week. Town councillor Louise McAllister said she was “delighted” to see the project and noted it had been “a long time in the making”.
“The group that was set up supporting this and driving it forward have really shown great resilience and determination,” she commented. “I am left with no doubt that this is an excellent opportunity to develop allotments for Ellon.”
Council leader and Ellon councillor Gillian Owen also gave the plan her support. She said: “The group that was set up to produce this have had a few bumps along the way but they’ve stuck with it. It’s always good to see the community working together at its best.”
Fellow Ellon councillor Isobel Davidson stated that the group had been on a “difficult journey” to get to this point. But she believed it would be a “welcome addition to the community”.
The committee went on to unanimously approve the application.
