A CUMNOCK man has been told to return a vacant piece of land on the grounds of East Ayrshire Community Hospital back to the way it was - or face legal action.

Steven Shedden put in hours of work to transform an empty section of grass near to Skares Road's junction with Ayr Road into a "community garden area".

However, the land belongs to NHS Ayrshire & Arran (NHS AAA) and is currently an extension of land belonging to the nearby hospital.

Steven has been working on the land for a few years.Steven has been working on the land for a few years. (Image: Submitted) Despite the fact that the land has not been used for a number of years and Steven used his own time and money to make use of the ground, he has been told to rip it all up and effectively put it back to the way it was.

Steven's work has seen the land turned into a closed-off path around the grassy area, with seating area, plants and a pond.

He said: "The land has been lying empty for god knows how long and now because I put in the work to transform it, they're all of a sudden bothered about it.

"It's not a dangerous place. It's closed off so dogs or kids can't run into the road, there's seating area for people to come and get away."

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Steven added: "I've had mental health issues of my own in the past, so I know how beneficial it can be to come to an area like this and just sit with the plants and trees and try and switch off.

"In the summer it looks amazing with all the colours and plants that are around.

"I've put in a lot of work to get it this way and now they want me just to rip it all up.

"I get that it's not my land, but it's surely better to have it for the benefit of Cumnock and the wider community, rather than having it basically sitting going to waste.

"There must be a way that we can get it into the community's ownership, cause the NHS have never used this bit of land for as long as I can remember."

The 'garden' is located on Skares Road, close to the junction with Ayr Road.The 'garden' is located on Skares Road, close to the junction with Ayr Road. (Image: Street view) NHS Ayrshire & Arran bosses say that the hospital and its accompanying land are under review as part the strategic plans.

Nicola Graham, Director of Infrastructure and Support Services said: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran first became aware of unauthorised activity on the grounds of East Ayrshire Community Hospital in December 2022.

"The future use of the hospital and associated land is currently being considered as part of the board's strategic plans. Until any requirement to develop the land in line with the board's objectives is understood, no decision will be made to declare any of the land surplus.

"Land can be passed for community use in accordance with the Community Asset Transfer process."