Edinburgh farm set to reopen without animals for at least five years

Plans to re-open Edinburgh’s Gorgie Farm have been unveiled, but with a twist — the site will not be bringing back its beloved animals. The popular attraction, which has been closed for 18 months, is set to be transformed into ‘Gorgie Community Farm’ pending approval from councillors next week. Despite the absence of animals, the new vision aims to continue the farm’s 40-year tradition of being free for the public to visit.

The proposed new concept for Gorgie Community Farm includes spaces for growing, outdoor play, community enterprises, markets, and collaboration around community needs. A new charity, Gorgie Farm Company, has been established to develop a business case and manage the site, with other organizations also being invited to express interest in operating it.

One of the main reasons for the decision to not reintroduce animals to the farm was advice from Edinburgh Zoo chief executive David Field, who stated that the site does not meet current legislative standards for animal welfare. The cost of the project is estimated to range from £1.5m to £4.6m, depending on the extent of additional building work proposed.

The approved option includes a commitment to only have ‘small animals on site that contribute to the land, such as chickens and goats’ after five years of operation, once the new company is financially stable. The report highlighted the challenges faced in the past with animals on site, including feeding and veterinary costs, welfare issues, sickness, disease, and predation by wild animals.

The focus for the future of Gorgie Farm is on creating a ‘Community Farm’ that supports growing relationships, opportunities, local businesses, and community needs. It is emphasized that the farm must remain a free public amenity, as losing it as a community space would be a significant loss for the area.

The phased re-opening of the farm will offer various revenue-generating opportunities, such as pop-up markets, a café, community activity space, community kitchen facilities, and crofting land. The plans were developed by EVOC, who received £150,000 to create the new vision for the farm after the previous operators, Love Gorgie Farm, closed down.

The farm faced further challenges when a fire broke out in the stables last week, resulting in a 14-year-old being charged with wilful fire raising. While the damage assessment is still pending, Gorgie councillor Ross McKenzie expressed relief that the office building was unharmed and looks forward to the future proposals for Gorgie Farm.

In conclusion, the re-opening of Gorgie Farm as Gorgie Community Farm presents an exciting opportunity for the site to evolve into a hub for community engagement, growth, and sustainability. While the absence of animals may disappoint some visitors, the focus on community initiatives and public access ensures that the farm remains a valuable asset for the local area.