The site at 31-33 Comely Bank will be leased by Supporting our Community (SOC), following a decision to grant its application for a Community Asset Transfer at a recent meeting of the Housing and Technical Resources Committee. 

Formerly occupied by a care facility, the land has been vacant for almost 15 years, and following the approval of councillors, the group will take it on for a period of at least the next 15 years, revitalising it for the benefit of the community. 

Operating from a hub and workshop at 19a Comely Bank, SOC is an award-winning charity established in 2019 to advance the provision of recreational facilities and activities. It currently runs a small-scale growing project, however, increasing local interest led them to seek additional land for this much larger project. 

Councillor Josh Wilson, Chair of the Housing and Technical Resources Committee, believes the asset transfer could bring significant benefits to the wider Hillhouse community. 

He added: “The Hillhouse, Udston and Burnbank Our Place Our Plan, identifies improvement of open spaces as a key action. The proposal for a community garden on what has been an empty site for more than a decade meets that brief perfectly. 

“Supporting our Community, its management team, and volunteers intend to provide not only opportunities for community engagement, development of new skills and improvements to health and wellbeing, but a chance to reduce isolation, food poverty and boost mental health.

“The group has achieved a lot in such a short time already and I know they have the experience and commitment to secure the necessary funding and sponsorship to bring this fantastic project to fruition.” 

The final transfer of the lease is dependent on the securing of Planning consent for change of use and a survey to establish that ground conditions are suitable for a growing project. 

Mark Rouse, Project Coordinator, said: “We have spoken with people from across the community and they were excited about the prospect of this empty and unloved piece of waste ground being changed into something that everyone can be proud of. 

“SOC staff and volunteers will now work with local people to develop the area into a vibrant community garden that is accessible for all, including the development of a Community Growing Project to help tackle the issue of food inequality and waste. 

“All of our projects and programmes are decided through community engagement. We try our best to deliver something for everyone. We encourage those who may be isolated, lonely or are struggling with their health and wellbeing to join us and get involved in this new venture.”