‘Embarrassing’ delays over Barshaw garden due to planning laws
Other UK projects are well ahead ... but not Scotland’s
Delays to Paisley’s community garden plan have been branded “embarrassing” after UK counterparts raced ahead with their projects.
We told last week how Barshaw Park was set to be the venue for a new garden feature after clinching funding in a prestigious competition.
The Renfrewshire greenspace was the Scottish site selected in each of the UK’s four home nations to land funding following a contest to secure Royal Horticultural Society funding to back the project.
Communities across the UK were encouraged to apply to the RHS Community Grant scheme to fund developments in their own neighbourhoods, thanks to a partnership with BBC’s The One Show.
Up to £50,000 was up for grabs for each site, with a judging panel consisting of garden designers, horticulturists and television presenters.
Winners were unveiled on the popular BBC evening magazine programme, by presenter JJ Chalmers.
But a follow-up segment on Monday’s show sparked controversy after a Paisley resident saw “other nations are well on their way”, while Paisley’s site apparently lagged behind.
The resident told the Express he went to the park on Monday, adding: “There was some kind of gala going on in the walled garden with the design on display.
“However, I understand there has been delays in starting.
“I watched the One Show and saw the other home nations are well on the way with their gardens.”
The resident added: “What an embarrassment that Scotland, or, more particularly, Paisley, has not even put a spade in the ground.
“What a shame as the volunteers in the walled garden seem to be keeping it in good shape.”
A string of events took place on Monday to mark RHS Garden Day, including at the site earmarked for Barshaw Park’s garden.
Other UK sites selected for the prize include Blaenavon in Wales, Northern Ireland’s Randalstown and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
But the Express can reveal that delays at Paisley’s garden are down to planning legislation in Scotland, which differs from other regions handed the funding.
A 21-day consultation period for planning consent required for the transformation began on April 29, with the bid looking set to be granted unless the Renfrewshire authority receives objections.
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “We are fully supportive of the new community garden and are currently working with Friends of Barshaw Park to finalise their licence to occupy the land.
“The group also requires planning consent and, with this process underway, we hope that the works will begin as soon as possible to bring this fantastic new garden to the park.”
Irene McDonald, chair of the Friends of Barshaw Park, insist progress is continuing on Paisley’s garden.
She told the Express: “The ground being broken is just one part of what will make the community garden successful.
“There is excellent progress being made and the partnership with the RHS, Friends of Barshaw Park and the designers is deepening as we continue to work together
“On Monday, hundreds of local people celebrated Paisley winning a new community garden on Garden Day, getting an early glimpse of what will be on offer when it opens this summer, and learning about what has been achieved so far.
“Building work will commence as soon as planning permission has been granted, but the new and extensive tool library it will house is already up and running and 50 per cent of plots have been reserved by community groups eager for a space to grow.
“New volunteers have been recruited to help run the garden and developed an exciting programme of events.”
She added: “We look forward to the opening of a new, muchneeded garden for Paisley and a series of social and learning opportunities getting underway.”
I watched the One Show and saw the other home nations are well on the way with their gardens