They’re seeking planning permission from Fife Council to change the use of an old garage lock-up site off Kings Road.
If they get the green light it will be turned into a community growing area with a polytunnel, raised planting beds, storage containers for tools and materials, a workshop, meeting rooms, toilets and new parking bays.
A planning statement by their agent, Stephen Lynas of iDraw Plans, said: “By utilising the land on Kings Road, which has lain derelict for years, the land will no longer be a dumping ground or an area for fly-tipping.”
The site, which is bordered by Kings Road, Camdean Crescent and the Brankholm Burn, was most recently used by the council as an “ad-hoc landscape and maintenance services storage area”.
Since then it’s become blighted by fly-tipping.
Local councillor Brian Goodall completed the Great Scottish Run in October to help raise funds for a new base for Rosyth Men’s Shed. (Image: David Wardle) READ MORE: Brian’s on the run for Rosyth Men’s Shed
In the first six months of operation the shed aims to attract up to 85 visitors and hope that at least half will become regular users, gradually increasing the opening hours as they go.
The agent went on: “There is an extensive waiting list for allotments in south west Fife with considerable demand for community growing locally following the success of the EATS Rosyth community garden and orchard spaces at Park Road.
“The polytunnel will allow longer seasonal growing and out of season activities like Christmas wreath making with use for space by local schools, nurseries and community groups for horticultural related activities.”
The site off Kings Road in Rosyth had become blighted by fly-tipping. (Image: David Wardle) The Men’s Shed is a project to promote general wellbeing, continuing education and healthy lifestyles for everyone both retired and working.
The idea is that by providing a welcoming place where anyone can go to engage in creative, enjoyable activities, meet and chat with others and share new skills and interests, it will give ‘shedders’ an increased sense of purpose and boost their self-esteem and mental health.
The Rosyth group was set up in January 2020 but they’ve never had a base of their own, initially sharing the classroom at EATS Rosyth’s orchard and currently using a space in North Queensferry.
Both are “unviable options long term” and Mr Lynas’ statement explained: “A dedicated space within Rosyth has always been the long-term goal.
“This needs to be a central, accessible location with a building that is fit for purpose and the vacant derelict land at Kings Road offers this.”