University set to rent out sports pitches to council at £ 1- per- year

SPORTS pitches owned by the University of Strathclyde are set to be leased by the city council for 25 years on a peppercorn rent. The land at Southbrae Avenue, Jordanhill, will continue to be used by children at schools in the area.

It will also be available to the community depending on playing capacity.

Councillors will be asked to approve the move at a meeting on Thursday, with a £ 1- per- year rent set to be agreed.

There could be an option included to extend the lease for a further 25 years.

It has been estimated the annual cost of managing and maintaining the pitches will be around £ 16,000. This figure will be met from the council’s education department’s budget.

Glasgow Life will act as the booking agent for community use of the pitches.

In 2013, Glasgow’s planning committee approved the university’s plans to redevelop the Jordanhill campus but attached a condition which meant the sports pitches were protected.

“The retention and continued management of the playing fields was seen as being essential so as not to further exacerbate the city- wide deficiency in quality pitch surfaces,” a council report stated.

“The conditions associated with the planning approval stipulate that the sports pitches at Jordanhill Campus must remain a community accessible asset.”

In 2015, it was agreed the land would be used in support of a “school of rugby” established at the nearby St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, with access for other schools maintained.

If approved by councillors, officers will finalise the agreement with the university.