Glasgow City Council has a map called the “Open Space Map” that categorises all land within the City. Any Planning Application coming in would refer to this.  The North Kelvin Meadow and Children Wood is currently mapped as:

“6.51 Sports Areas – Playing Field”.

This is incorrect and we need YOU to ask them to re map it as:

“6.71 Natural / Semi Natural Greenspace – Woodland”.

They have a public consultation and questionnaire for us to complete, deadline is 10^thDec 2018.

Be sure to quote “Ref number SAPF388 North Kelvin Meadow” when completing the questionnaire.  Any questions then email:  northkelvinmeadow@gmail.com

Anyone from anywhere can complete the Council questionnaire.

To start the questionnaire click or copy Council link below:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OSS2018/

At the bottom of the page click Next Page. (If you like, you can see the actual map by clicking on “Open Space Map” in their covering letter and searching on Clouston Street, then drag map to where our land is. The colour legend is a drop down box at top right of map or click on the land for it to come up with the category).

You’ll be asked to provide some details like your name, address and email.

Click Next Page.

Q3.Which document does your comments relate to?

On the drop down menu click “Open Space Map”(near the end)

Q4. Which part of the document does your comment relate to?

Insert “Ref number SAPF388 North Kelvin Meadow on the Open Space Map”

Q5. What is you comment?

Here’s some points you can copy and paste or make up your own:

A). There are 500+ mature trees being over 30 feet in height on the land. Below the trees is a woodland understory of natural plants, fungi and growth. There is also a wild grass and flower meadow in the open areas. It looks like a Natural / Semi Natural Greenspace – Woodland, and so should be categorised as such.

B). As well as looking like a Woodland it is being used as one. Local nursery groups and schools regularly use it. There are Forest School sessions and a host of other natural greenspace educational and play sessions. It attracts many users because of what it is such as the National Theatre for Scotland – The Reason I Jump play.  Dog walkers, people having picnics and many others use it as a woodland and meadow area on a daily basis. There are two tree houses, 30 raised beds plus 5 community raised beds for growing vegetables and fruit, an extensive Orchard, 5 compost bins, two honey bee hives, Bumblebee homes, a kids mud kitchen, two benches etc.  However its use is not just about people. It’s being used for wildlife and forms an important haven and natural stepping stone for wildlife throughout the city.

C). It’s not being used or managed as a sport pitch and hasn’t been for a very long time so shouldn’t be categorised as such.

D). In 1993 the Council took away the goal posts. And in 1995 they formally said they wouldn’t upkeep it as a sports pitch and that the land was surplus to their requirements. In August 2011 the land formed part of the new extended West End Conservation area, which for example means all mature trees are protected. In December 2012 there was overwhelming support by the public to the Council Consultation regarding rezoning North Kelvin Meadow as Greenpeace, Proposal Number: prop0066, also under ref H023. This included updating the Open Space Map. This formed part of City Plan 2 via the Main Issue Report at that time.

In December 2016 the Scottish Government overturned Glasgow City Council decision to sell the land for housing. This follows both Government appointed Reporters Mr Timothy Brian (report under Martin Seddon name, Ref H023 Issue 26 Page 292-306) and later Mr Cunliffe that concluded it shouldn’t be sold off for housing and shouldn’t be zoned for future housing. Their reasoning was based, on it not being a sport pitch, but because the land was a community greenspace and woodland.

In summary the Council hasn’t managed it as a sports pitch for 23 years, it can’t be reverted to a sports pitch as it’s in the Conservation Zone and it can’t be sold off for housing. The obvious, and it has to be said a decade or two long overdue, conclusion is that it should be mapped as what is there and being used as, which is Natural / Semi Natural Greenspace – Woodland.

E). After such a long time that the local community has campaigned and managed this land, plus the backing of the Scottish Government, all of which are agreed that it’s a natural community greenspace and woodland its unacceptable for Glasgow City Council not to finally update its Open Space Map.

F). Name should be changed to North Kelvin Meadow and The Children Wood.

Q6. Would you like to make another comment or comment on anther document?

No

About You– complete the questions. This information is for analysis and equalities monitoring purposes only. No individual will be identified as part of any reporting.

Thanks for doing this. Please ask others to complete, along with your MSP, MP, Councillors and any local groups and Community Councils you know of.