Charity disputes claim over Children’s Wood

CH A R I T Y representatives at the Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow dispute claims that anti- social behaviour in the area is linked to their site.

Councillor Ken Andrew told a council committee he was meeting with police following problems on the land.

He said fires have been set and cars damaged by groups of youths. But the community group, which is appealing to the council to remove a clause in its 25- year lease, said any issues on their site were noise related.

Members of the Children’s Wood community have been going out at 9pm each night to ask anyone in the area to be quiet, a spokeswoman said.

They want a clause, which would allow the council to take back part of the land for educational use, taken out of the lease.

Mr Andrew was speaking during a meeting on whether to drop the condition.

He claimed a submission to the council, from the group, which stated crime had reduced in the area was “absolutely not true”.

The Hillhead councillor will be meeting with the locality police inspector, Maryhill councillors and on Tuesday.

“For me there around how secured,” he said.

“During the day there isn’t a problem, at night there is a continuing problem with behaviours on the site because it’s quite a large open site.”

Police Scotland confirmed an inspector will be attending a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

Reports to the police have generally related to issues such as youth disorder or drinking in the street, a spokeswoman said.

The Children’s Wood spokeswoman said the community responds to issues in a “positive and collaborative” way. She said there was a “wider problem” with anti- social behaviour.

“We know there are issues across Glasgow, people can’t go anywhere so they’re outside all the time.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of some ongoing concerns of anti- social behaviour in the area and officers will be attending the meeting next week to discuss the matter with partners.”

The community group wants the “bizarre” educational use clause removed so members can “relax”.

Campaigners managed to save the land from being used for housing after a long- running battle with the council. council

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