Green light for Sandside land plan

On Thursday councillors noted that the former caravan site at Sunderries Road, Stakeford, was surplus to requirements and agreed that it be leased to Sandside Community Garden Project Association for a period of ten years for £1.
Paul McGregor from the association said: “That’s great news.
“It’s great to get the go-ahead, but now the hard work starts. I’m now looking for wider council support in making this project go forward.”
The association was formed by local residents last year, identifying the disused Common Good land as a plot where they could create allotments, children’s play area and a community space \_ based on needs identified in a consultation carried out within the community.
But Mr McGregor says the land has been neglected for the last 20 years and will require considerable work.
And he is calling for more funding, after a request for £1500 from Nithsdale Area Committee last Wednesday resulted in an offer of £733.
Mr McGregor added: “That’ll not even cover a skip.”
Complaining that residents of Sandside ‘feel as if we’re forgotten’, he added: “We in Sandside feel as if we’re not getting that support seen elsewhere.
“We’re the forgotten land. You’re getting a lot money coming to Lochside and Lincluden, but there’s been nothing in Sandside for years.”
Mr McGregor expressed his thanks to North West Dumfries councillor Graham Bell for his ongoing support.
Councillor Bell said: “They are keen to get this community garden going in Sandside and I’m keen for it to happen, to tidy up the area, and to see the hard work these volunteers are going to be putting into this area.”