We formed human shield to save Scots special building – developers would be out of their minds to cross us
Their goal is to get hold of the greenery and develop it not into a housing scheme
PLANNING ROW We formed human shield to save Scots special building – developers would be out of their minds to cross us
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PICTURES show people forming a massive ring to 'hug' a local bowling club - to protect the 'only green space' in the area from developers.
More than 120 residents 'hugged' the club in Glasgow on Saturday (3 May) to show their outrage at a proposal to build flats on the site.
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Mount Florida residents form a 'hug' ring around local bowling club on Carmunnock Road
Credit: SWNS
Noah Management and Developments is bidding to transform what they claim is a brownfield by building 32 flats.
However, locals insist that the grass pitch is the only greenery accessible to them and they would like to use it.
Nicola Smith is the chair of the directors at Mount Florida Community Trust, which was set up to fight this proposal.
She said: 'It's right in the heart of our community, right in front of our eyes.
'It's just very, very sad that it's not available to the community.
'Are you out of your mind to build on that space? It's our only green area.
'There are other places that could be built on, even within the boundaries of Mount Florida.
'We want access to this.
'The argument that we didn't have access to it before because it was privately owned, frankly, does not hold water, as it doesn't mean that we can't be entitled to having access to it now.'
After the bowling club closed due to insufficient numbers, the battle for the site started in 2020, when the first plan was lodged for 40 homes on the Southside area.
I'm stuck in planning row after ONE neighbour complained about my shed - I've hired a CRANE to prove I've broken no laws
This was rejected by planning officials, along with an appeal.
But now, the developer submitted a set of new documents, which are due to go before the committee and are recommended for approval.
The application, which received 125 letters of support, includes a publicly accessible community space, spanning over half the existing site, as well as a 'community facility'.
Glasgow City Council also received 249 objections to this bid as members to the group say half of the field is 'not enough'.
Nicola explained: 'If it's lost, it's lost forever.
'Nobody pulls down buildings to reinstate a park, so we are desperately trying to keep this space green.
'When word started to get out that the club was really in difficulties, we asked if we could negotiate with them to look into ways to purchase the site.
'But all of those applications were denied.
'The developer went ahead and bought the site. They knew that there was a strong community wish to keep that space.
'But they pressed ahead and bought it anyway. It was essentially a hostile act against the community because we had demonstrated our need and enthusiasm to keep this space.'
Their goal is to get hold of the greenery and develop it not into a housing scheme but something that residents can use, especially since the site is near a school.
The Mount Florida local explained that the lengthy planning dispute is draining but they will not give up.
She said the process feels like the odds are stacked against them but added: 'We are clinging on to this green space, desperately trying.
'It's recognised that Mount Florida is short of green space, and it's not as though there is anywhere else in the area that we could go.
'This is a whole conversation that should not have gotten this far because after the last planning application was rejected, the community had resoundingly demonstrated the need for this space.
'We live here, this is going to influence the whole feel of our environment forever.
'So, we have motivation, we have to keep finding the energy to fight.'
Noah Management and Developments has been contacted for comment.
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