FLOODLIGHTS abandoned for two decades will be used to light up a community's Christmas celebration.

The group opposed to redevelopment plans for The North Kelvin Meadow will use the lights this weekend.

An application for houses on the site, that was at one time football pitches and tennis courts, is with Glasgow City Council.

A final decision on the application is expected in January.

However, chairwoman of the Meadows Children’s Wood Emily Cutts said: “With help from local builders we are planning to light up three of the old floodlights on December 6 to celebrate the incredible asset the land has been, and still is to the community.

“Though the meadow and wood are not being used as football or tennis any more, the land is still being used by the local community.

“There are 20 nurseries and schools who walk to the land for outdoor learning.”

Emily hopes there will be a big turn out on Sunday.

She said: “The community are urging everyone with an interest in the land or what it stands for to come out on that day, because the planning committee will also be deciding on both applications.”

This year will be the community’s fourth Christmas Fair and campaigners hope it will also be used to raise awareness of next month's site visit.

The fair will be held in Kelbourne Street Scouts Hall and on the meadow and wood.

There will be hot drinks, choir music, outdoor cooking, play in the dark games and other activities.

In the scout hall there will be stalls and food.

Local parent and one of the stall holders Carol Webster said: "My children jump with joy when I say we're going to the Children's Wood.

“It's so much more exciting for them to go on a rope swing tied between two trees than the metal swings at the park.

“They spend hours in the willow den cooking up leaf stews and pine cone potions in the old cauldron. For them, the opportunity to play imaginatively outdoors is irresistible.

“We often come to the events, which are a great way to bring people together from different local communities.

"Storytelling in the woods is a magical experience, and afterwards the children drift back to the meadow via the raised beds, where they stop to marvel at the wonder of carrots and herbs growing in the soil.

"It's a fantastic wild place, unlike anywhere else."

Housing developer New City Vision has submitted an application to Glasgow City Council for permission to build 90 new houses on the land.

Campaigners have launched a planning application to keep the land wild and for the community.

The planning committee will visit the site on January 12.