FURIOUS campaigners are to take their fight against a controversial tree-top adventure course in Pollok Park to Scottish Ministers. They promised to battle on after Glasgow councillors voted 14-6 to allow the Go Ape plan to go ahead.
FURIOUS campaigners are to take their fight against a controversial tree-top adventure course in Pollok Park to Scottish Ministers. They promised to battle on after Glasgow councillors voted 14-6 to allow the Go Ape plan to go ahead.
The aerial course involves a series of high level rope walkways and six zip slides suspended from the trees of the North Wood.
But almost 900 people, including Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, formally objected. They said the highwire playground would ruin one of the few remaining peaceful areas of the park.
The scheme will now be referred to the Scottish Government because of the level of public interest and because the council owns the land.
Ministers will decide whether to rubber stamp or review the council decision, which was revealed in later editions of yesterday's Evening Times.
Objectors want the Scottish Government to call in and overturn the decision. However, it is believed the proposal is unlikely to be overturned by Holyrood.
Bill Fraser of the Save Pollok Park Campaign said: "We are not against a Go Ape facility in Glasgow but this is the wrong place for it.
"We now ask the Scottish Government to call in this application because it raises important issues about how the decision was made.
"Nearly 900 written objections, thousands of park users who turned up at public events, and over 4000 signatures to our petition justify this demand."
At least two councillors are believed to have changed their minds following the site visit and backed the Go Ape proposals.
However, one councillor resigned from the committee following the decision.
Conservative David Meikle, councillor for Pollokshields, said: "Following this outrageous decision I can no longer sit as a member of the planning committee.
"Go Ape is a fantastic facility but will, in my opinion, have a detrimental impact on the North Wood and the Burrell Collection.
"The proposal approved is a step too far and, unlike the 14 councillors who approved this scheme, I have listened to my constituents, to the people of Glasgow and the Save Pollok Park group."
Campaigners insist the council failed to consider whether it can grant a lease for the adventure course without the permission of the National Trust for Scotland and the Maxwell family, who gifted Pollok Park to the city.
The protesters are to set up a cross city alliance to bring together people who are unhappy about the council's management of its parks.
The Save Pollok Park group hopes to join forces with objectors fighting a plan by Stefan King's G1 organisation to build a bar, restaurant and underground nightclub in Botanic Gardens in the West End.
However, Colin Deans, one of three councillors representing the Pollok Park area, said he was in favour of the Go Ape plan.
The SNP councillor said: "I don't think I have ever experienced such sound and fury over a planning application and it has shocked me."
Mr Deans pointed out there had been a flood of objections to a children's playground and a mountain bike track in Pollok Park, and that 20 years ago the plan to house the Burrell Collection had resulted in over 1000 objections.
He added: "Now, people say these things are wonderful and that they helped Pollok win the title of Best Park in Europe."
Labour councillor Jim McNally, who also represents the area, wanted the Go Ape plan to be rejected.
He said: "There is one group of individuals that wants nothing to happen in our parks and Pollok Park in particular. I do not subscribe to that view.
"However, there is another group, I think the majority, that feels this proposal will be intrusive and will lead to the destruction of the environment.
"The park is within the Green Belt and any development has to be compatible with the Green Belt. I think this application is not."
But, Labour colleague Stephen Curran, who also represents the area, backed the plan.
He said: "I thought about it carefully and remain supportive of the plan as a proposal that will enhance the park."
Planning convener George Redmond was also in favour of the Go Ape plan.
He said: "The planning assumption is the impact is minimal and that environment issues are minimal.
"Scottish National Heritage said the impact would be minimal and the council's land and environmental services department is satisfied."
Go Ape chief executive Tristram Mayhew said he was happy about the decision, but mindful that many people were not. He said: "It is great news for Go Ape and for the tens of thousands of people who will enjoy using the course.
"I know a number of people will not be happy and it is my job to continue to listen and to address those concerns that we can.
"We are passionate about what we do and believe we have a positive gain wherever we go."
After the meeting Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie, of the Green Party, joined the row. He said: "Glasgow City Council has an abysmal track record in protecting its parks and green spaces, but this time it has outdone itself. Go Ape would be a fun facility in the right place, but the overwhelming public view is the jewel in the crown of Glasgow's public parks is the wrong place.
"The council has permitted attacks on green spaces large and small and that has earned the resentment of people throughout the city.
"This time the council has picked on one of the most tranquil spots in the city and there is no way the Scottish Government should permit this vandalism.
"I will be making urgent representations to ministers to call in this outrageous decision."
The Evening Times website has been flooded comments - most opposing the development - since the decision was posted on the site minutes after the meeting finished.
HOW THEY VOTED
FOR
George Redmond, Lab
Jonathan Findlay, Lab
Liz Cameron, Lab
Frank Docherty, Lab
Alex Glass, Lab
Jean McFadden, Lab
Catherine McMaster, Lab
Shaukat Butt, Lab
Paul Rooney, Lab
George Ryan, Lab
Jim Todd, Lab
Iris Gibson, SNP
Jahangir Hanif, SNP
John McLaughlin, SNP
AGAINST
Jim McNally, Lab
Margot Clark, Lib/Dem
Craig Mackay, SNP
George Roberts, SNP
David Meikle, Tory
Kieran Wild, Green
