Government refuses to let council sell Meadow site to developer
CAMPAIGNERS in the longrunning battle to save an inner-city woodland from development have won their fight after ministers ruled against the plans.
Opponents of the move to build around 100 town houses on the site in Glasgow’s west end have been informed by the Scottish Government it has refused planning permission, marking a victory in the five-year campaign for residents and their high-profile supporters.
The Government had the role as final arbitrator in the scheme as Glasgow City Council, the owners of the North Kelvinside Meadow, would have stood to gain from its sale to developers.
A two-day inquiry by the Government’s planning reporter was held in the summer.
But the council said the decision, “at a time when the Scottish Government is imposing significant cuts on Glasgow”, would deprive it of funds “which would have been used to deliver crucial facilities across the city”.
Equating the decision with depriving Glasgow of a new school, the authority also said it would take legal advice on the matter before deciding its next move.
The decision marks the culmination in almost two decades of high-profile opposition to building on the west end site. It was declared surplus in the mid-1990s, and since then a number of attempts have been made to develop the site.
Campaign group Children’s Wood now plans to buy the plot and retain it as a community asset.
In a letter to all parties issued on Tuesday, the Government said: “Ministers have carefully considered the report.
“They accept and agree with the reporter’s overall conclusions and recommendations and adopt them for the purpose of their own decision.
“Accordingly, Ministers hereby dismiss the application and refuse planning permission for the erection of residential development with associated parking, land- scaping and vehicular access and demolition of existing structures.”
It added that the “decision of Ministers is final” but allows the developers, Irish-based New City Vision, or the council the right to take the decision to the Court of Session.
The campaign has become a cause celebre in Glasgow and one of a high-profile series run from the west end which has caused the city council considerable turbulence in recent years. Supporters included leading children’s author Julia Donaldson, Turner Prize-winning artist Richard Wright, Franz Ferdinand’s Paul Thomson, musician RM Hubbert, writers Bernard MacLaverty and Alasdair Gray, comedian Frankie Boyle, and individuals from academia, the arts and civic Scotland.
Game of Thrones actress Kate Dickie said: “I’ve just heard the wonderful news that the Children’s Wood and Meadow has been saved. Bravo to our community for all of their tireless campaigning. It’s the best Christmas present for the kids ever.”
A city council spokesman said: “We are deeply disappointed by this decision. Put simply, this intrusion into local government is the financial equivalent of depriving a Glasgow community of a new school. We will be seeking legal opinion on the merits of this decision and how best to proceed.”
‘‘ I’ve just heard the wonderful news. Bravo to our community for all of their tireless campaigning. It’s the best Christmas present for the kids ever