FELLING 27 trees to clear the way for an aerial playground is "negligible" when forest bosses want to cut down 1000, campaigners were told today.

FELLING 27 trees to clear the way for an aerial playground is "negligible" when forest bosses want to cut down 1000, campaigners were told today.

Tomorrow Glasgow councillors will see for the first time the details of the Go Ape plan for Pollok Park which has led to almost 900 objections.

Steve Inch, development and regeneration executive director, has recommended it gets the go-ahead and dismisses the vast majority of objections raised by opponents young and old.

Go Ape intends to fell 27 trees, seven of which are dead, to allow for five zip lines and to plant 54 trees elsewhere in the park.

Mr Inch says in a report: "There has been tree removal within the park amounting to approximately 500 trees during recent thinning operations with the Forestry Commission and the intention is to remove a further 500 trees.

"In this context, the quantity of the trees to be removed is considered negligible."

Campaigners also claimed trees would be damaged by the Go Ape plan and that there is a problem with lack of toilets.

But councillors will be told special batons will ensure cables needed to support the walkways and zip slides will not come into contact with trees.

And a 5m by 5m cabin, to be used as a reception area, will be built from logs and will include a toilet.

Objectors have also claimed consultation with the public has been "woeful" and have demanded a new consultation exercise be launched.

But Mr Inch stated that a six-week consultation was undertaken, including a public meeting, direct mailing and website posting.

Environmental groups have claimed the development would affect protected species such as bats, and bluebells which it is illegal to uproot.

But again their claims have been dismissed by Mr Inch, who said no bat roosts would be affected and officials will ask to replant the bluebells elsewhere in the park.

The Garden History Society, whose aims include protecting historic parks, has said it is satisfied Go Ape is unlikely to have a significant detrimental impact and has not objected.

The director also dismisses the parking concerns saying Go Ape will be used by a maximum of 14 people every half hour and noise fears adding that, given the recreational nature of the park, it was not unreasonable to expect noise from patrons.