Moray Council has handed over an area of land in Elgin is ready for new allotments for residents.

The council handed over ground at Pinefield to the Elgin Allotment Association which has taken on management responsibilities for the site.

The Elgin Allotment Association currently runs a successful small organic garden share project in Elgin and has been supported by the council’s Community Support Unit to work with the council project team through the process of securing the allotment site.

The area at Pinefield, to the south-west of the existing playing fields, was granted planning permission many years ago. The newly-completed site works, which includes an access from Ashgrove Road, car parking spaces, a bicycle rack and paths, have been funded through the council's Place Based Investment Programme.

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Secretary of the allotment association, John Kennedy, said he was looking forward to getting all allotment holders together to discuss the next steps for the site following the official signing of the lease by their chair, Graeme Hamilton.

"All 22 official plots have been allocated to individuals and groups, and everyone is looking forward to getting started on their area of land. We have secured funding for sheds which will start coming in next month and we’re also looking to install a compostable toilet on the site and a community shed where we can bring local people together," Mr Kennedy said.

"We are grateful to all departments of the council which have worked to get us to this day and our special thanks goes to the Community Support Unit for their exceptional support. We have learnt a great deal along the way and welcome contact from other groups in Moray keen to develop their own allotment sites so we can hopefully make it an easier path for them."