THEY’VE been making big strides in recent months.

But last week Auchinleck Community Development Initiative took a massive step forward in their ambitious plans for the town.

At an East Ayrshire Council Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, they agreed to 'sell’ off land to allow the social enterprise group the chance to build a huge £300,000 community garden.

And ACDI Development Manager Stephen McCarron said: “This news is absolutely massive for us as an organisation. When we got the email to confirm that the Council were agreeing to this I was thrilled.

“The community garden will be a brilliant facility for the whole of Auchinleck. It will also help create jobs and help boost the local economy. It’s very exciting.

The 'transfer’ is for 2.538 acres of land at Quarryknowe, In council papers it says ACDI will 'create a self-sustaining garden nursery that will offer produce to the general public. It will create jobs, improve the community, enhance learning and increase community cohesion.

The cash for the development comes from Big Lottery Funding and SCORE Environmental.’ Proposed lease terms have been agreed for a 25 year period at a rental of a nominal £50 per annum.

Local councillor Neil McGhee, who is also a member of ACDI, said: “This is great news and it’s fantastic that councils are starting to recognise third sector organisations like ourselves.

“It has been a long time coming and now we can press ahead with the plans.” It has been a succesful few weeks for the group after they completed an extensive local recruitment programme.

They recruited local lads Jake Hollow (18) and Gareth Mullen (18) as part of our Gardening & Community Action Team.

Both new employees were awarded six month contracts assisted by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation’s Community Jobs Scotland Programme.

Stephen added: “Personally speaking, I am delighted that ACDI has provided these 2 employment opportunities to these previous unemployed local youths. Not only does it provide them with a REAL job and weekly wage, but it will also increase their employability as well as enhancing their career progression.” Alex McPhee, Executive Director, Finance and Corproate Support for East Ayrshire said: “The Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy helps community organisations realise their plans for their area. Cabinet was impressed with the exciting proposals from Auchinleck Community Development Initiative to create a community vegetable garden on vacant land at Quarry Knowe and it was a very easy decision for members to agree to the 25 year lease.

“The ambition and scale of the development is evident from the fact that it has already secured grants of £300,000 from Big Lottery and Score and it is clear the project will benefit the whole community.”