PLANS to set up a community garden in the grounds of a church in Troon have been approved despite a number of objections.

The congregation at St Ninian’s Church in the town’s Bentinck Drive is planning to offer gardening space to individuals and community groups at raised beds in the south-west corner of the church grounds, between the church hall, South Beach Land and Sandylands.

A planning application had been submitted to South Ayrshire Council for a change of use at the site to form a community garden.

The physical proposals within the garden include planting of a hedge and pollinators, installation of a gravel path, erection of four raised beds, erection of a herb spiral, erection of two planters, installation of a bench, a compost facility, a waterbut and a storage box.

A spokesperson for the project said: “In light of the climate crisis and the food insecurity that may bring we would like to share with our communities the land around our church as a resource to grow food sustainably and learn together about growing food ecologically.

"We are looking for partnerships with community organisations who also promote our values of generosity, friendship, justice (both for the earth and for people) and diversity to share good practice and resources.

“Initially we are looking to use a small part of the site in the south-west corner to plant some fruit trees, some berry bushes, four raised beds and a storage box for tools, pots and other material that can be used in common.

“We hope to find partners who are interested in cultivating one or more raised beds. As the project gains momentum, we hope more people and organisations might get involved and then we hope to review and expand the area of the site we use.”

Two objections to the plan had been lodged with the council, focussing on the potential noise and disruption for local residents, as well as parking access issues. 

However, council planners found that there was no reason to refuse the application, and granted it with a number of conditions attached. 

Decision documents state: "The small area of the church’s curtilage to be utilised as a community garden can be accommodated within the site without significantly impacting on the residential amenity of the adjacent neighbouring properties.

"As set out elsewhere in the report, the proposed use is ancillary to the main function of the church. The church shall operate and manage the community garden for the benefit of the wider community.

"It is not considered that the operation of a small area of ground within the church for the growing of food/ plants will exacerbate the existing use or character of the church.

"Furthermore, the church has a car park sited within its curtilage and the Ayrshire Roads Alliance has been consulted and has offered no objection to the proposals. Therefore, it is considered that the development is capable of meeting the anticipated parking demands created."