Linstone Housing announced this week the Linwood Community effort had been awarded £3000 from the Scottish Government’s ‘Community Growing Fund’ describing it as great news for the campaign.

Dedicated local people have been trying for years to turn an unsightly, disused five-a-side pitch into the new garden.

It is hoped work will start later this year with the garden – located close to Belmar and Asbury Court high rise flats – with it opening some time in 2020.

It is also near Tesco and the store giant owns the land on which the garden will be built as a result of the town centre redevelopment in 2014. Linstone Housing has agreed a 20-year lease on the land so the garden can be created.

In addition to the latest £3000 just announced, £1500 in funding has also been secured from the Scottish Government’s ‘Climate Challenge Fund’ for initial community consultation while another £3000 has come from Linstone itself.

The Village Garden will offer green space for local people to meet and enjoy and grow flowers and vegetables. There will be a seating area, new paths, raised beds for planting, a shelter and storage shed.

Linstone said the money was “another important step forward” in the effort to create The Village Garden.

Maria Suarez, community engager at Linstone, said: “This is great news for everyone committed to creating the Village Garden for Linwood. The £3000 is an important boost to making this exciting development happen. This project will turn an unused and unloved piece of land into something the local community really wants and can be proud of.”

Linstone Housing is supporting the local community to determine how the garden space will look and operate.

No fewer than 19 different groups have come together to get involved include Langholm Tenants and Residents Association, the local elderly forum and local schools and nurseries to form a ‘Grow in Linwood’ project team.

Maria added: “This is a project which is widely welcomed by many areas of our community because it will deliver a much-needed garden in the heart of Linwood. So many local people and community groups are keen to get involved.”