PLANS for a food growing project in Rishton has moved one step closer.

The disused children’s play area in “Piggy Park,” at Westwood Avenue and Devonshire Road, is set to be transformed into a growing area for the community.

MORE TOP STORIES:

A public consultation on the plans was held in 2013, and councillors will now meet to discuss them early next month.

Rishton councillor and council parks boss Ken Moss said: “The Rishton Food Growing Association (RFGA) has identified the site as one that could be used as a local allotment and food growing area.

“The RFGA proposes to develop the area for residents to use to grow their own food through the provision of raised beds, small allotment plots and a polytunnel, which would be for the benefit of those that use the site.”

Fellow Rishton councillor, Harry Grayson, has been liaising with the group and has asked councillors to give £10,000 to get the project off the ground.

Cllr Moss will present a report to the cabinet on March 11.

Councillor Harry Grayson said: “The children’s play equipment was taken down a number of years ago because it was not fit for purpose and was dangerous.“Since then it has been used as a loitering area and a dog toilet. It is never going to be a children’s play park again so we are looking at a food growing project that the community will embrace.”

Leaflets and questionnaires have previously been sent out to residents in the town.

A letter explained the project and the council’s vision and the questionnaire asked locals what they would like to see in the area.

The options included wildlife areas and rain water harvesting.

Cllr Grayson said: “We hope to be able to provide it at a very minimal cost.

“Schools and nurseries will be involved and the brownies and guides are interested too.

“The growing area will give children an understanding of how food is grown and the cycles of the food.

“It won’t just be food but flowers as well and there could be an orchard and a herb garden. I want to stress that it will be a secured area too.”

The council hoped to start work before the end of September 2013 and to have the growing area up and running for 2014.

But the project was hit by delays as the council thrashed out a new leasing agreement with the landowner, who had gifted the area to Rishton for use as a park.