Still time to respond to Community Food Growing Survey

The survey is open until 2 August 2024 – Take part today

A survey on Community Food Growing in the Nairnshire area is still open and residents are being reminded that they have until Friday, 2 August to take part.

The survey has been designed to capture public views and opinions on the adaptation of one of the Sandown Lands fields to become a community food growing project.  It also has potential for the installation of solar panels as part of the development, to raise income for future project works within the site.

The survey is being facilitated by Enscape Consulting Ltd who are undertaking this canvassing as part of their feasibility study for a community food growing project for Nairn.  Following a competitive procurement and tendering process earlier in the year, the company was appointed by the Council in February 2024 to undertake this study.

The study, scheduled to conclude in September, will assess the practicality and viability of the potential project in Nairn and identify opportunities and challenges.  

On conclusion, the final report and recommendations will be reported to the relevant Council Committees for their consideration.

Meanwhile, site visits and a number of meetings involving Enscape Consulting and local Nairn groups, organisations and residents have taken place, including the local place planning workshops in May 2024.

Brian Menzies, director of Enscape Consulting, encouraged as many people as possible to take part in the survey and commented:  “The feasibility study for Nairn is well underway and we are pleased with the response so far.  Community food growing has the potential to align well with the Council’s strategic priority to deliver a more sustainable Highland environment as well as support the delivery of the Council’s food growing strategy.”

He continued:  “We hope to receive feedback from a wide range of people and we look forward to considering the response in detail once the survey closes on 2nd August.”