A big thankyou to all those who took the time and trouble to write or email NHS Lothian in support of our bid to bring Belhaven Community Garden into community ownership. This is hugely appreciated and can only help our case.
NHS Lothian received 246 ‘representations’ before the 2nd March deadline, extracts from a tiny sample of these are below:
This space is important: it provides a therapeutic and learning space for many local people and groups, and offers a biodiverse area within Dunbar, and in a wider frame, the intensively cultivated area of East Lothian. It provides an educational resource to support outdoor learning for all our young people to access.
As a local resident I’m aware what was once a bare field is full of fruit trees surrounding an ornamental garden. I recently helped sing Wassail to the apple trees. The singers were of all ages. In the course of the afternoon I made the acquaintance of folks who have recently moved to Dunbar. We enjoyed drinking the juice pressed from last year’s apple crop.
I’m very much in favour of the land passing back to community ownership.
I would wholeheartedly like to support the application for the community asset transfer of the Belhaven Community Garden to the local community group. Garden space like this is invaluable for improving both mental health and increasing physical activity. It provides a creative outlet for gardeners and also a space of learning were horticultural skills can be passed from generation to generation – something that in the time of fast convenience ultra processed foods is a crucial skill to develop.
This space benefits the community and could help maintain a sense of belonging and connectedness which would lead to better wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity for learning to care for our environment.
My son has ADHD and we regularly spend me in the garden, to run around to explore, to dig, to climb to chat, it’s safe enclosed. I feel it has been a part of his life the whole of his life. And everyone knows him.
It’s a fantastic community with many different people all working together growing and learning and socialising .
Belhaven Community Garden is a vital local asset that contributes to physical and mental wellbeing, community cohesion, environmental sustainability, and education. Its continued existence as a community space is of lasting public benefit.
I take my grandchildren there regularly to explore, see how fruit and vegetables grow – and to enjoy picking and eating... It is a gem – ready made- for anyone and everyone to enjoy. It is easily accessible geographically and it would be a tragedy if this oasis were sold for housing when it is already fulfilling a vital role in the community’s wellbeing.
The community garden is well used by all ages, gardeners,
community groups, walkers, locals throughout the year with the apples and plums in the orchard being very popular with everyone! It’s also just a lovely peaceful space to walk about in. It would be a tragedy if all of the hard work put into the grounds over the years was disregarded and the land was sold off to yet another developer!
You can read a redacted version of all 246 comments here.
We still expect to hear NHS Lothian’s decision on our application sometime in July.