A SENSORY community garden is set to bloom in Prestwick.

Located at Boydfield Gardens in the town, the then toilet block is being revamped and will be accessible for locals and visitors to enjoy a formal and relaxed atmosphere.

In partnership with Prestwick North Community Council and South Ayrshire Council, the garden will include wooden planters and benches set against the walls of the garden, with low level shrubs adjacent to the wall elsewhere.

Larger trees have been cut back to allow more light into the corner and the adjacent CCTV camera can be adjusted to monitor the new space.

Mike Tomlinson, vice chairman of Prestwick North Community Council, said: “South Ayrshire Council agreed to fund and provide [the garden] and we designed it together with them.

“It will be a formal, relaxed and accessible space and it will hopefully be attractive to all from children to those in a wheelchair, and we hope it will be particularly dementia friendly.

Julie Twaddell who is heavily involved with Dementia Friendly Prestwick believes that the community garden will be great for people living with dementia especially with sensory add ons.

She said: “Dementia Friendly Prestwick gave feedback for the garden to be accessible for people living with dementia.

“The plants would need to be safe and non-toxic and sensory would be really amazing for them because contrast in flowers is very good for people living with dementia, as well as engaging for them.

“You wouldn’t want shadows from the doors or anything like that because those with dementia have vision impairments – a black doormat to them, for example, would look like a black hole.

“People are getting dementia younger and younger and often people build places for them to remind them of historic events like World War II and some weren’t even born then so we are encouraging to make the colours vivid and small amazing with strong colour.

“Raised flowers beds in the garden means those in wheelchairs can still get close to the plants and lower beds for those who can walk.

“It is about making space for everyone and making use of the environment – young children can come here with their parents and their grandparents.

Mike Newall, head of neighbourhood services at South Ayrshire Council, added: “The council in partnership with Prestwick North Community Council sets to create an accessible sensory garden at Boydfield Gardens in the town.

“The site has been cleared and we are looking to install raised planters during September.

“Discussions will take place with the community council to decide on planting, but as a sensory garden it will be filled with beautiful colours and wonderful aromas.

“Seating is also planned to ensure the garden can be enjoyed by everyone.”