The Elgin Allotment Association may have finally found a home – after nearly a decade of searching.
The group has been looking for a council-owned piece of land since 2007 to allow people to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.
But today, members of Moray Council’s policy and resources committee will be asked to submit plans to create allotments at Pinefield playing fields in Elgin.
The group’s acting-chairwoman Rebecca Kail said members were “fairly pleased” with the proposed location after the long search.
The 46-year-old said: “It was a long search and we lost a lot of faith with the council over that time. Recently they have been a lot more supportive.
“It’s a very accessible piece of ground. It’s near a lot of housing and it has a cycle path going to it. We’re hoping for a good outcome but that is by no means certain.”
Under community empowerment legislation, councils must keep a waiting list of people wanting to lease an allotment and must take steps to provide them within a reasonable distance of where they live.
Concerns have previously been raised about using playing fields for both football and allotments, with the issues of damage to crops due to rogue balls and noise worries highlighted.
But in a report, councillors will hear that the latest proposals include building a fence around the pitch.
If members agree to the idea, planning permission will be needed before the council can lease the ground to the allotment association.
Mrs Kail said: “I think it is very beneficial for people to grow their own food and be more in touch with what’s around them.
“The aim is to reduce our carbon footprint and to save a bit of money. The climate actually allows you to grow quite a range of things.”