Transition Town Forres seeks public support for Community Asset Transfer of Bogton Road site
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A CHARITY working to introduce a sustainable low-carbon lifestyle for Forres hopes to take ownership of land it currently rents from the local authority.
Transition Town Forres (TTF), which is based at the Environmental Education and Healthy Living Centre on Bogton Road, was founded in 2008 as part of the Transition Towns Movement, and runs a number of projects including a community garden, free cooking classes, wellbeing classes, social events and interest group cafés, has launched a survey to find out how much public support there is for a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the Common Good site currently leased from Moray Council.
Director Kristy Lee confirmed TTF hopes the community will help the charity "secure the long-term future of their home on Bogton Road".
She said: "Our vision is for a vibrant and sustainable community with social and economic resilience to meet the challenges of climate change and fossil fuel depletion.
"Our base at Bogton road supports a huge variety of projects, including Let’s Eat and Wellbeing Projects, Community Garden, 70 allotments and more. We provide space and resources that nurture activities, projects and creative thinking.
"It is vital that we can secure the future of TTF at Bogton Road so that we can become financially self-sufficient and grow our organisation to become a vital part of the local community."
TTF is a volunteer-led charity that has been working over the last decade to raise awareness of the global issues affecting Forres.
Kristy said: "The Transition Towns movement focuses on transitioning away from reliance on fossil fuel energy and towards a sustainable way of life. It is about Forres stepping up to address the big challenge of climate by starting local."
TTF centre manager, Anne Owen, explained renting the Bogton Road site from the council limits the usage of the land.
She said: "A suggested recent rent increase to £13,200 has become prohibitive for the charity. We are a social enterprise and do not create profit. The most viable option is to secure the ground via CAT.
"We are working with consultants to plan a robust future business plan to ensure the sustainable development of the site. As part of this we are promoting the community engagement survey. We will be led by the needs of the community as to how we develop TTF."
TTF hope that as many people as possible in the Forres area complete the survey - which covers the plans to purchase the site and develop activities - at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ttforres or on the TTF website.
Moray Councillor Lorna Creswell (Forres, Independent) believes TTF's vision of a sustainable Forres fits national government strategy during the climate crisis.
She said: "I’ve always found it inspiring to see people growing their own fruit and vegetables on the allotments at Bogton and to see the awesome projects being run from the building there.
"Present restrictions have not allowed these to run. However, wellbeing benefits from being connected to nature, keeping active by gardening and growing, and to have the company of others with similar interests.
"I wish TTF well in their endeavours of a CAT, though it is a long process to work through as was evident with Forres Town Hall."
