The site is looking to rebuild after closure in January 2023. 

An Edinburgh councillor has called for the city to set aside some of its budget this week to support a charity-run farm which has transferred to new hands. 

Gorgie Farm in the capital saw new leaseholders approved earlier this year, following the site’s previous closure in January 2023. 

The council agreed a new 25-year lease with community-run charity Gorgie Community Farm Ltd, but did not offer seed funding of £75,000. 

A 2024 study suggested that capital costs would be key to success of the farm, with costs potentially rising to £5million. 

The new project will feature growing spaces and outdoor spaces, with small animals on site alongside spaces supporting community and social enterprises and volunteering.

An amendment to the council’s budget, to be agreed on Thursday, would commit the council to providing seed funding to support the site. 

Councillor Ross McKenzie, who brought the amendment, told the Edinburgh Reporter: “I’m delighted that a new local charity has been awarded the lease for Gorgie Farm and I believe that they are well placed to secure significant external funding to deliver on their plan for the site. 

“However, I know they need support from the council to get started so I’m proposing a modest contribution from this year’s budget. The farm has never survived long without council subsidy – the council owns the site and administration councillors have repeatedly committed to bringing it back for the community, so now is the time  to match those words with financial support. 

“The money requested in the amendment can also be found in the SNP and Green budgets, and all four ward councillors are united in supporting this request. But we already know they the SNP and Green budgets won’t pass, so I’m hoping that Labour will accept my amendment – if they do that, then I will vote for their budget. 

“I’ve discussed the amendment with the council Leader and she seemed genuinely interested. Cllr Meagher has come into the job saying that she wants to find consensus and respect views from across the council chamber so hopefully that’s what we’ll see at Thursday’s budget meeting.”