Tempers flare as Glasgow City Council target North Kelvin meadow for development

Jul 30 2009 By Frank Hurley

A BATTLE by residents to save North Kelvin meadow from developers looks set to turn nasty.

Glasgow City Council (GCC) has slapped a 14-day eviction notice on the unofficial community-run green space between Clouston Street and Kelbourne Street, which is earmarked for housing.

Local residents improved the derelict land creating raised bed allotments, a fruit garden and composting facilities.

Glasgow MSP Bob Doris and Councillor Billy McAllister, are supporting the campaign to keep the meadow green.

Mr Doris said: "While there may be disagreement about the future of Clouston Street playing fields, it is clear that the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign is attempting to play a positive role within the community. I hope health and safety concerns from the council can be resolved.

"If an understanding can be reached with the council to allow the meadow to continue, even in the short term, then this would be a positive step.

"I have also asked for the council to work with the North Kelvin Meadow to look at alternative sites should the housing development go ahead."

More than 100 local residents attended a Big Lunch event in the support of the meadow campaign and 500 people signed a petition protesting against the council's plans to sell the land for s10million to a private developer to build flats.

GCC said it issued an eviction order via sheriff officers on July 15 against people who are using land on the former Clouston Street pitches as an allotment.

A council spokesman said: "They have no consent to do this. The council agreed some time ago to sell the site and the negotiations with the potential buyer are ongoing to develop 115 housing units.

"The proposal includes a park within the development - which was in line with the approved development brief.

"The potential buyer / developer was selected on the basis of their presenting the best financial offer, and their design was the one that had most support at the community consultation day which the council held.

"The money from the sale of the site is being used to fund the construction of a new playing facility at the corner of Queen Margaret Drive/Maryhill Road."