RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to stop two small parks being paved over for flats.

RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to stop two small parks being paved over for flats.

The families in Glasgow's South Side say the areas earmarked for development are among the few remaining bits of green space left in their community.

And they want to stop the plans to build 12 flats for rent along with a Barnardos family centre and joint NHS and social work information clinic on the sites.

The residents have leafleted hundreds of homes against the applications for two four-storey blocks at the sites on Leslie Street in Pollokshields - at the corner of Forth and Keir Streets.

The plans were recently lodged with the city council by Southside Housing Association.

The objectors have the support of Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose Govan constituency covers Pollokshields East.

A community association called Leslie Street Greenspaces Group has been set up.

Andy Thomas, 30, who lives in Leslie Street, said: "In the past the parks were neglected but we have been maintaining them and they are now used for badminton, boules and for general recreation.

"Non-developed land is very scarce in Pollokshields East - there are minuscule amounts."

The open spaces - known locally as Turtle and Stepping Stones Parks both have a cherry blossom tree that is more than 100 years old and are protected with preservation orders because the land comes under a conservation area.

People also fear the traffic situation will become even more intolerable with double parking and dumping cars on pavements already a problem.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Green space is scarce in Glasgow and developers seem to be eating up what's left.

"I certainly support the campaigners bid to retain the small bit of open space they have left in what is a very overpopulated area of the city."

But Southside Housing Association has a waiting list of 1700 for homes and director Patrick McGrath said there was nowhere else to build.

He said: "Only around 30 homes become available to let in the area every year and given the size of our waiting list - clearly there is a need for more social housing.

"I am very sympathetic to those who hold sincere views about retaining their green land.

"In an ideal world we would set up elsewhere but prime sites are snapped up by private developers and we don't get a look in."

A spokesman for the council said the planning applications "would be considered in due course".