PROTESTERS who want to save a protected greenspace in Partick from development tied yellow ribbons to trees on Sunday to demonstrate their importance.

Residents want to transform the woodland area at 108 - 120 Beith Street into a community garden with wildflowers and benches making it a place for people to relax.

But Clydeside BSW Development Limited have submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council to develop 48 new flats on the land instead.

Since the proposals were logged with the local authority, hundreds of residents have joined together to contest plans for this car-free development.

On Sunday at least 20 people gathered to tie ribbon to the trees in danger of being cut down to show that the area benefits people, wildlife and the environment.

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Theresa McIntyre, who is running the campaign, said: “Apart from the fact we were soaked to the skin, Sunday’s event went really well.

“There were about 20 people there to tie 20 different ribbons to the trees. We have been speaking to local politicians who have given us advise on how to save the site.

“We have many ideas on how we could improve the area which is popular with dog walkers and cyclists. If we are successful in our campaign to stop this development we would transform the land into a community garden and get everyone involved.

“We would plant more flowers and install benches for the elderly to relax on. This is our closest woodland area and we don’t want to lose it.”

Residents have until Wednesday to raise an objection with the council. They can also sign a petition to prevent planning permission from being granted at Crawford Hall.

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Victoria Park councillor Maggie McTernan is also supporting the campaign and gave locals advice on what they can do to preserve the land.

She said: “I think when there are that many people protesting a development like this, you have got to stop and listen.

“I have been contacted by many concerned constituents asking me to support them in their campaign. We have a city that is filled with tenements and blocks of flats and these green spaces are really important to them. With a little bit of imagination we could enhance this area.”

Glasgow Green MSP Patrick Harvie added: “Sadly, speculative development like this is all too common. The developer here knows there’s a presumption against building on the greenspace, but they’ve decided to lob in their damaging plans anyway, causing obvious alarm in the local community.

“People who care about their local environments deserve so much better. It’s now up to Glasgow’s planning bosses to stand up for them by rejecting these ill-conceived plans.”