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Transition Town Forres’ board has resigned following criticism from its members





The board of an environmental charity that has occupied local common good land for the last 17 years has resigned.

The decision from Transition Town Forres (TTF) follows an EGM last month and criticism of the board’s plans for its future from gardeners who share the greenfield site off the A96 Forres bypass.

TTF’s Sustainable Living Centre hosts classes run by local experts and offers a community space as well as facilities for the gardeners.
TTF’s Sustainable Living Centre hosts classes run by local experts and offers a community space as well as facilities for the gardeners.

A TTF spokesperson explained: “Following a period of reflection, the board has made the difficult decision to give notice to Moray Council to vacate the Bogton Road site, effective April 2025.

“Due to rising costs, increasing rent, and a lack of usage for the building, the current model for TTF is not financially viable on this site.”

TTF held the well-attended EGM on December 11, outlining fundraising proposals that included running a “community canteen space” in its Sustainable Living Centre, along with events, films and workshops focused on food, growing and climate.

Attendee and gardener Daphne Francis claimed the plan was “mainly based on operating group dinners, two sittings for three nights a week” with access directly from the A96 Forres bypass.

She said: “There was concern about safety issues around access via the A96 gate. Also, TTF’s draft business plan was inadequate and did not seem at all realistic with its customer projections.”

The community gardens at Transition Town Forres, Bogton.
The community gardens at Transition Town Forres, Bogton.

TTF developed their proposals with the aim of creating a “regenerative hub” on the site.

“The plan was supported by Moray Council’s community support unit,” claimed a TTF spokesperson. “They recognised the proposal’s potential to meet strategic aims and develop a thriving space for the people of Forres.

“However, it did not receive the necessary backing from our members. Several alternative plans were considered, but none were found to be viable.”

TTF has run social and environmental projects at Bogton since 2008 and is part of the national Transition Towns Movement. Its overall vision is to encourage the wider community’s social and economic resilience to meet the challenges of climate change.

In September 2023, Moray Council announced that it would no longer cover Transition Town Forres’ annual rent of the common good land at Bogton of £13,200.

The entrance off the A96 bypass to Transition Town Forres.
The entrance off the A96 bypass to Transition Town Forres.

However, following extensive negotiations it was agreed that TTF will instead continue to pay a reduced rent of £4500 for a further three years.

“TTF is no longer able to shoulder the financial burden of managing the site,” said the board’s spokesperson. “We are now at a crossroads: either members step forward to save it or a new organisation will need to take it over and breathe new life into the space.”

A Moray Council spokesperson pointed out that, contradictory to TTF’s claims, there have been no rent increases.

The Gazette asked the local authority what will happen to the Sustainable Living Centre and surrounding gardens now.

“This question would be one for TTF,” replied the spokesperson. “The lease is in the name of a company, and will stay in place until the company notifies the council of its intentions.”

Gardener Charles Thompson also claimed TTF’s vision had “little to no expectation” of success.

He asked: “Will the board’s resignation leave TTF with no administration? Who will pay the rent now and who will maintain the building? What will happen to the people who run workshops there?”

The TTF spokesperson confirmed the charity is in talks with Moray Council about the future use of the site.

She said: “While TTF’s time on the Bogton Road site is coming to an end, we are proud that the work and energy invested over the last 17 years will not be lost.

“Our town is now home to numerous organisations that embody the values of sustainability and climate action that TTF has championed. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to the organisation's success since its inception.”

She added: “Organisations must adapt to stay relevant and TTF have no choice but to move forward as a new, agile, non-site-specific organisation, while continuing our charitable mission in Forres.

“We look forward to embracing the next chapter and are committed to sustaining the values of ecological and climate-conscious practices in the future of Forres.”

Meanwhile, the gardening group at TTF aims to set up a meeting with Moray Council’s community support officer to work on a plan for moving forward.

Moray Councillor Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Green) said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of TTF’s decision to vacate the Bogton site after so much great work over nearly 20 years.



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