Campaigners battling Glasgow City Council over plans for a housing development on green space in the west end have held a demonstration which saw dozens of “dens” built.

Tents were pitched and treehouses constructed by families fighting for the future of North Kelvin Meadow.

The local authority rubber stamped a plan for dozens of flats on the site but the Scottish Government is currently reviewing the decision and could yet overturn it.

High-profile backers of the campaign to stop the development include Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson, actors Colin McCredie and Tam Dean Burn, as well as comedian Frankie Boyle.

Father of three Jason Byles, who has lived in the area for two years, said: “The council want to sell it to a developer so that they can build 90 homes. Today, the idea was to build 90 dens. It’s not an occupation, per say, but den making has been happening here.”

There are no plans by demonstrators to occupy the site after today’s event but many of the makeshift shelters could be left behind.

Mr Byles said: “We have to think about the environment so we’ve encouraged people to use natural products.

“The ones that are made out of natural products will stay although we’re going to have to have a clean-up at the end of the day because the wind will blow some of the tarpaulin away.

“We’re trying to make a point and I think we’ve done that.”

He added: “The other theme today is ‘Love the Meadow’ because it’s Valentine’s Day, so we’re showing love for the land.”

The site is often used for community gatherings and educational activities and more than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Scottish Government to reverse the council’s planning decision.

Emily Cutts, who brought her son and daughter to today’s demonstration at the meadow, said: “We have events like this roughly once a month and there’s also the Wednesday playgroup and the Saturday outdoor learning club. We’re now doing a space programme where we look at stars and constellations. There are lots of informal events too.

“If homes were built here the impact would be massive because it’s so interconnected to the community. There are lots of problems and issues in this area. It’s very unequal.

“You’ve got one of the most deprived areas on one side and one of the wealthiest on another. But everyone comes down and uses this space.”

Trustee Ralph Green, who brings his grandchildren to the meadows, is hopeful that the campaign can succeed.

He said: “We want to maintain North Kelvin Meadow as a green space. The Scottish Government could overturn the planning decision.”

A council spokesman has previously talked up the housing development, describing it as “much-needed” and pointed to the “substantial receipt for the public purse in a time of unprecedented financial constraints for local government.”

The Scottish Government is expected to rule on the planning decision next month.