By Stuart McFarlane

Copyright dailyrecord

Community leaders in a Stirlingshire village have launched a desperate fundraising bid to secure support in purchasing an area of neglected local land with big plans. Residents in Kinlochard have developed a wide-reaching vision for the 27 acre piece of land – named locally as ‘The Field’ – including helping with the growing of food locally and the encouragement of educational activities in a wild natural environment. However, despite attempts to raise money to purchase the plot – valued at £225,000 – from the landowner, they have been forced to turn to a crowdfunding effort amid concerns over possible depopulation and decline if the land falls into alternative hands. The efforts to purchase the land have been led by the Kinlochard Community Residents Association (KCRA), who fear it could be sold to a developer “within the next few months” if the funds aren’t secured. Their spokesperson, Joyce Kelly, said: “We are in a race against time. “The Field is a really unique piece of land which offers our community an opportunity to become more self-sufficient and less vulnerable to market forces.” The residents’ association has praised the current landowner, Aberdeen-based leisure group Strandside Ltd, for their patience throughout the process, but the group says a failure to acquire the plot would leave the village in a “precarious” situation. KCRA secretary, Jane Jackson, added: “It’s called ‘The Field’ but it is a significant piece of land – over 27 acres. “It’s a beautiful, diverse area. It’s like a little gem in the middle of this commercial forest, teeming with wildlife, flora and fauna that you can’t find anywhere else in the area including – otters, beavers, slow worms, adders and red squirrels. “It has to be carefully looked after and managed or that environment will be destroyed. “Paths currently have limited accessibility and we would ensure access is suitable for people who are not fully mobile. “Community food growing space is another priority, as is educational work with local schoolchildren.” The group have managed to raise almost half of the cash needed to buy the land from funding bodies including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Community Led Local Development Fund. But these grants also require support from the Scottish Land Fund, which they have so far been unable to secure. KCRA have also secured £146,000 worth of commitments to help with their proposals for the land once it is in their hands – but getting over the initial hurdle is proving enough of a challenge that villagers are calling on wider public help. Resident Andy Manders is backing the plans, and said: “We have struggled for years to bring The Field into community ownership in order to put in place an ambitious Community Life Plan which is about the people who live here and their care for this place, its history and its future.” To get involved with the village’s buyout plans, you can access the fundraiser at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-field-kinlochard