By Dara Bradley

Plans for city garden allotments are beginning to bear fruit.

For years garden allotments were an aspiration for Galway City Council but at last concrete proposals have emerged that could see between 25 and 30 plots available for public use later this year.

The Shantalla Community Development Company Ltd, the Parks Department of Galway City Council, and City Councillor Billy Cameron (Lab), held a successful meeting last Friday with regard progressing the plan.

At a previous meeting in July, €50,000 in funding was allocated for the project for allotments to the rear of Shantalla Community Centre (St Joseph’s).

The site earmarked is less than an acre and has been idle for years. At the most recent meeting, members of the development company presented a site layout and detailed design for the proposal.

The drawings show the proposed four metres wides gate access to the gardens, with gravel access paths around the individual garden plots. Fencing will be erected around the site; and timber fencing may also separate the individual gardens.

Successful applicants will be obliged to pay a nominal fee to rent the plots.

Cllr Cameron said he is delighted that progress has been made after he first raised the proposal at a Recreation, Amenity and Culture Strategic Policy Meeting in June. His motion was supported by Cllr Catherine Connolly.

Yesterday Cllr Cameron said: “Originally two sites were identified for allotments on the west side of the city, one at an open space at the Altan Development in Knocknacarra and another at Circular Road.

"The Circular Road site was deemed unsuitable due to a lack of parking facilities, public transport connectivity and access problems and the other site at Knocknacarra would have been suitable but concerns of nearby residents were expressed, objections were put forward at meetings with city officials and some issues proved insurmountable.

“In the meantime the Shantalla Residents Association expressed an interest in designating some of the Shantalla Community Park for allotments. Although coming a bit late to the table they now have secured the designation and the project is progressing with speed."

Read more in today's Connacht Sentinel