There’s no need to buy a site for a Central Park in Glasgow. We already have one
HOW timely were Will Reid’s comments in the Herald (letters, November 28), regarding the need for a Central Park within the City.
How timely, too, the research published by the University of Sheffield on November 23, revealing Glasgow to be the least green city centre for cities in Great Britain with populations in excess of 100.000.
There is no need to purchase a site. One is already two-thirds in the making in the Merchant City at the Ingram Street car park, where the internationally renowned, magnificent ‘four seasons’ (Glasgow Friends) mural exists on the gable end of the Fruitmarket, and 20 mature chestnut and cherry blossom trees flourish.
Local residents and some community councillors, supported by the Community Council, have continued to strive since November 2018, when an application to build on the site was withdrawn, to have this site developed as a park.
This was despite being denied the opportunity to use the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 legislation, when the Council sold the site to their ALEO City Property in March 2019.
In 2021, City Property sold the site to a developer, subject to planning permission being granted.
At a recent Planning Application Committee meeting on November 1, it was unanimously agreed that a site visit and hearing would be required before any decision could be taken on this development proposal. City Property is 100% owned by Glasgow City Council.
It is wholly within the council’s power to make such a park happen.
Dr Eileen Mills, Glasgow.