CAMPAIGNERS battling plans to build flats on an award-winning green space in Glasgow's West End will stage a protest at the City Chambers.

A demonstration opposing the proposals for the North Kelvin Meadow will take place outside Glasgow City Council's HQ in George Square this Thursday.

Developers New City Vision want to build 90 flats on the former playing fields site between Clouston, Sanda and Kelbourne streets.

The council claims that its plan for new housing is supported by the majority of residents and will provide much-needed family homes for the area.

However, a new survey suggests more than 90% of people are opposed to the plans.

In a text poll, 451 of local people, or 93% of those quizzed, said 'don't build on the North Kelvin Meadow', which has been taken over by the community for use as a nature garden.

Only 32 people (7%) said they were in favour of the development going ahead. A petition against the development has gathered more than 1600 signatures.

The results of the latest poll will be sent as an independent representation to the planning officer, as well as the developers and the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign.

The community space was recently awarded 3rd place in the Scottish Civic Trust's My Place awards.

The plans have attracted criticism from Dr Laura Piacentini, a criminologist based at Strathclyde University.

Dr Piacentini believes green spaces such as the Meadow encourage the public to take pride in their surroundings and are a vital weapon in the battle against crime.

The meadow will host events at this year's West End Festival including a reading of Hans Christian Anderston tales by writer Alasdair Gray in the Children's Wood.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the application would be considered, "in due course".

The latest poll was carried out by Glasgow University, which is trialling a new text-message voting system.

Around 3000 residents were mailed a unique PIN which allowed them to send a text message to an anonymous register.

It is the first time the Handivote system has been tested by the public.

It is hoped that the voting system could be used by local authorities to gauge feedback from the public.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk