Proposal to build on Queens Park Recreational Ground
It has been brought to our attention that part of the Queen’s Park recreation ground is the City Council’s preferred site for a large residential facility for elderly people. This decision has been made with out consulting the community or the community councils. It is our understanding that the local elected members were only made aware of this plan recently.
It is also our understanding that at least one community council have already objected in writing to the council regarding the proposal on the following grounds.
1. Whereas the sites preferred in other parts of the city are brown field, the site selected here is not only a green field site, but an intrinsic part of Queen’s Park which is Common Good land according to the current definitions employed by the legal team within Land and Environmental Services. We see no evidence that brownfield sites on the south side, such as the sites of schools scheduled for closure, have been considered.
2. This area of Glasgow is one of the most densely built up areas with narrow tenemented streets and with the few recreational facilities or green space other than Queen’s Park, according to the City’s own ward analyses. The Park and recreation ground therefore represent an exceptionally important facility. The recreation ground, though not well maintained, is frequently used by young people from Crosshill/Govanhill and other parts of the area for football and cricket. There are few flat and suitable areas in Queens Park for this type of activity. Part of it is on the long lease, far from expired, to the Queens Park Bowling club.
3. The site selected cuts across and blocks a major and much used path /right of way crossing the Recreation Ground to Queens Park and Battlefield and Langside. In particular it is used by children to and from Holyrood School.
4. The whole of the recreation ground area is used by the Southside Festival, perforce displaced there as a result of the mine workings affecting the safety for mass use of other parts of Queen’s Park. Its immediate proximity to the Park enables easy linkage between events in the Park and Glasshouses and the recreation ground.
5. Further encroachment on this area will damage the viability and usefulness of the rest of the space and suggests a cavalier attitude to its parks and open spaces by a City Council which claims to wish to encourage community cohesion, healthy lifestyles and opportunities for young people.
3. The site selected cuts across and blocks a major and much used path /right of way crossing the Recreation Ground to Queens Park and Battlefield and Langside. In particular it is used by children to and from Holyrood School.
4. The whole of the recreation ground area is used by the Southside Festival, perforce displaced there as a result of the mine workings affecting the safety for mass use of other parts of Queen’s Park. Its immediate proximity to the Park enables easy linkage between events in the Park and Glasshouses and the recreation ground.
5. Further encroachment on this area will damage the viability and usefulness of the rest of the space and suggests a cavalier attitude to its parks and open spaces by a City Council which claims to wish to encourage community cohesion, healthy lifestyles and opportunities for young people.
Up-date........
We'll be posting an up-date shortly, once we have received further information on the proposals and what the local community can do about the plans. Have a look at http://www.writetothem.com/ which gives details on how to contact your local councillors.
We'll be posting an up-date shortly, once we have received further information on the proposals and what the local community can do about the plans. Have a look at http://www.writetothem.com/ which gives details on how to contact your local councillors.
Labels: Queens Park
posted by Ann at 11:06
29 Comments:
This is so wrong. Queen's Park is a vital asset especially for the Southside but for the whole of city of Glasgow. This needs to be fought quickly and assertively.
WHAT??!? Certainly it is illegal for them not to notify us (local residents). There are plenty of brownfield sites laying to waste. I would welcome an elderly facility but destroying that is used and valued in the process... insanity.
let us put a stop to it! who's with me?
Is there an online petition available yet? There is one running for The Egyptian buildings, perhaps SSH could organise, show of strength? Thanks for highlighting this issue.
Is this published anywhere? Anyone know who we should direct objections to?
I have no object to a large scale development for the elderly in fact it should be welcomed to the area, provides jobs and additional people to support local shops. But build it on a brownfield site. Glasgow Parks belong to the people of Glasgow. Keep away from our green spaces.
I agree, build this on a brownfield site - that would be much better! I used to walk a friends dog on the recs when it was just a little too dark to go into the park alone, building here would put a stop to so many things, we can't lose this space, even in part!
Why is everyone so upset about this? I cannot recall the last time anybody actually used the recs. The pitches are unusable and have been replaced by the facility at Toryglen. The skatepark has always been unusable. It's incredibly unsafe at night. Why should we object to actually trying to use the site for something good?
The development would completely cut off the Recs from the Park.
Thank you for keeping us informed (again)
@Mark
I think there are a number of things that people are upset about.
1. There has been no communication or consultation with the community about the decision
2. Parks were gifted to the people of Glasgow - they should not be used for development.
3. There are numerous brown field/gap sites in the Southside that could benefit from this development.
4 I agree that the Recs are not in the currently in the best of condition - the council should be improving them. This is not an excuse to build on them.
Once they've been built on they're gone.
I've started a FaceBook group: 'Save Queens Park Recreational Grounds'
(https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_122917954453835).
The intention is to provide a facility to organise from - I really don't think Facebook groups are influential themselves any more.
If anyone wants to become an 'admin', just ask. I've done this because I thought speed was of the essence, not because I want to lead it!
And if the FB group isn't needed, well that's fine too.
The skatepark is not unusable, in fact it is probably being used more than ever. The large ramp features regularly in the UK's biggest skateboarding magazine 'Sidewalk' and youtube style edits from local and visiting skateboarders.
Yes, I agree that it is not exactly the best skatepark but it is certainly usable. Judging from its recent surge in popularity I would suggest that it wouldn't be too hard to petition for it to be upgraded.
While I'm here, if the football pitches are not used- why not get some cricket facilities up and running- a pitch and some nets for practice. Cricket would seem to be more popular than football around Queens Park and is great to watch.
Finally, we all get old and we all need to stay somewhere but please build the new housing on a brownfield site. There are plenty of them and it might join up some of the empty spots on the Southside.
@Mark - you miss the point. yes the site has been under developed for years but this is a reason to develop the site to reach its potential as parkland rather than accept it has not been used and pass it into a short term budget plug before the money pours into private hands.
I am completely against it. I have lived in Manchester and know what it feels like to live in a city with little by way of greenery. they play an intrinsic part of the local community's heart and developers have no right to this land.
Count me in for any protest or petition.
Thank you for flagging this up. It's a bloody disgrace and needs to be stopped. Will keep a close eye on your page for more info!
I agree, what are the council thinking ??
Why build on ground that can be used for leisure?! I see it used by kids playing football and it's not like they have many other places to go without getting into trouble or causing a safety risk. There must be other areas they can use!!!
If it is Common Good Land then there are likely to be restrictions on what can be done with it, whether the council can dispose of it etc. This is an excellent quick guide to Common Good land: http://www.scottishcommons.org/docs/commongoodguide.pdf
May be worth a bit of digging to see if this can is even legal...
F*** the old people save the recs. Where is Harold Shipman when you need him.
A large swathe of green field and a much-used path have only recently been bulldozed out of the way and replaced by the new hospital, its car park and its access road. We are watching our precious green spaces being whittled away.
Which particular planet do the besuited bean counters think that they are on? Respect the crumblies, longevity has it's place... Unless you aspire to the cliche; "Hope I die before I grow old." There must be other sites to consider re a home fit for the elderly.
Queen's Park? NO!, No! and thrice No!
I used to live right opposite this beautiful park and it was always well used - no way should they be allowed to build on it
I've changed the Facebook 'group' to a 'page':
https://www.facebook.com/SaveQueensParkRec
If anyone wants to use this page as well let me know and I'll other people 'admins'.
It would be good to get some more suggestions available for actions as soon as possible.
Be interesting to knwo if this is going to be a private development or a Council/Health Board run service.
Also Queens Park does not appear on the Common Good register of assets - http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/YourCouncil/CommonGoodFund/ - which it definitely should be.
Pollok Park got added to the list afer the Go Ape fiasco.
OUTRAGEOUS- councillors yet again NOT acting in the interests of the people . Glasgow= Dear Green Place, Glasgow city Council would do well to remember what the city's name means & just how beneficial the green spaces in our city are!!! Other Brown ield sites should be used before parkland is considered - wake up GCC- NO,NO & NO to building on Queens Park!!!
the thinking is probably around the fact that theres a spanking new hospital right next door after all old people have a lot of medical problems ive just had a look at google maps and netherlee rd has a huge empty field there (whats that lassie you say more mine shafts??)or what about the huge pollok park area ???
What about the 3 big empty sites in Queen Mary Avenue? 2 ex-care homes and a hotel, 100yds away from the REC? Who are these numpties on the council that make such disgraceful decisions? I hope they disappear from office come May 2012 along with their hare-brained schemes!
Is this our elected representatives demeaning and demising the voluntary sector further. I work for an organisation providing highest quality of care and support for older people and see this as a threat to us and other care providers. Surely in our community any little bit of green space should be treasured and developed for the benefit of the whole community. I and my colleagues certainly won't be support GCC elected representatives come May 2012. They do not know how to communicate appropraitely or represent the community.
Let me guess.
First it will be an NHS care home ,then sold off to a private care company within 5 years.
Same thing happened to Friarton Rd pitches.The Newlands tennis club bought 1/2 of it to build a large indoor tennis centre saying locals would be allowed to join and it was good the the peoples of that areas health.the reality being that the Newlands tennis club had sold their large car-park to a private housing developer[average price £130,000,too expensive for the locals].They then used 1/2 of the pitches for a sports centre ,the rest as their new car-park.
Saved them a fortune and Glasgow loses yet more recreation grounds.
Hi
As one of the three councillors for the ward in which the Recs sit - I have written to 500 people in the ward asking their views and the people who responded (about 100which is a high return)dont want the developmjent and (I am very pleased to say)I have been instrumental in stopping it the other two councillors in the wardtook the view that the recs was not a very useful park.
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