A HARD-WORKING group have landed a £250,000 cash windfall - which will fund a massive garden for the whole community.

The Auchinleck Community Development Initiative were celebrating on Tuesday when the Big Lottery confirmed the amazing grant.

As well as being a facility for green-fingered locals, the development will create over 20 jobs over a two-year period.

The gardens will be created on an open space adjacent to Quarry Knowe after East Ayrshire Council awarded ACDI a ten-year lease for the area.

They will feature a recreation/picnic area with pergola, beehives, grassed and wild flower areas, tree and shrub planting, two geodesic domes together with raised planting areas for vegetables and flower beds.

A bothy will be provided in a compound at the south end of the gardens and ACDI development manager Stephen McCarron was overwhelmed at securing funding for £249, 872.

He said: “We are delighted to learn that we have been awarded £250k in grant funding from the Community Spaces strand of the Big Lottery Fund towards our community growing garden.

“This strategic, new and additional facility will be located in the heart of Auchinleck in East Ayrshire and will regenerate two acres of unused land into a visually attractive and fully functional community growing garden.

“This award will not only propel Auchinleck Community Development Initiative into a new phase of development, but will provide social and economic benefits to the village and residents of Auchinleck, specifically in terms of over 20 new employment opportunities over a two year period and also an attractive new facility to be used by everyone of all ages.” East Ayrshire Council gave the proposals planning consent on Friday, April 4.

There were 12 letters of objection from locals concerned about parking issues near their properties.

Announcing the funding, totalling £10,365,287, Big Lottery Fund, Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “Our Community Spaces programme allows local people to get together and shape their neighbourhood by making better use of outdoor and indoor spaces.

“Today’s investment allows for the development, improvement and creation of village halls, community gardens, art centres, sports and play facilities.

“For some areas, the refurbishment of a village hall will create a welcoming centre which can support a range of activities.

“For others, the transformation of a disused space offers a secure recreational place for everyone to enjoy.”