RESIDENTS in the west end have launched a petition to save a green space which was supposed to be protected by the council.

Broomhill Avenue is currently at the centre of a struggle between developers and local residents.

The green space was saved following a public campaign in 2008 but has once again come under threat after workmen were spotted drilling in the area.

Chris Osborne, a Broomhill resident and member of the local friends group, launched the petition to save the green space from development.

He said: “One of the reasons it didn’t get sold that time was because of the public campaign to keep it as it is.

“The petition shows that green spaces in Glasgow are important to people. We want the space there to develop on for wildlife and families and for putting trees and plants on it.

“People are really shocked about the fact that this is happening again.”

The petition has already attracted just under 600 signatures and messages of support.

A spokesman for City Property said: “The site at Broomhill Avenue is owned by Glasgow City Council.

“Following an approach from an adjoining owner the site was declared surplus to Council requirements and passed to City Property to dispose in order to generate a capital receipt for the Council.”

City Property are now in negotiation with a third party, thought to be Kelvin Properties, who are currently renovating the adjoining former Balshagray public school into flats.

Councillor Kenny McLean, a longtime campaigner for the green space, said: “I congratulate the residents at Broomhill Avenue in their campaign to save their green space from developers. Their petition will help raise awareness, generate support and put pressure on Glasgow City Council.

“This much valued green space was given guarantees from Glasgow City Council that it would be protected from any future development and it is also protected by Glasgow City Plan policies”

“If this green space is developed on then no piece of green space or parkland in the city can be considered safe. It is therefore vital that this campaign and petition succeed for the sake of all the city’s precious green space”