Save Cathkin Park
Save Cathkin Park
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Latest: Oct. 20, 2024
Here's how to save Cathkin Park
Have you told Historic Environment Scotland why the football ground in Cathkin Park is of national cultural importance?
There's still time! Read my tips for completing the survey.
(Don't …
Save Cathkin Park
My name’s Greg. I live in Mount Florida, a neighbourhood in the Southside of Glasgow home to a unique footballing heritage. Our park was the second site of Scotland's national stadium, Hampden Park, but the fence will prioritise football for a select few.
I’m taking the council to court to stop them privatising our local park.
In December 2023 the council approved a planning application to close off the main part of our park behind a 3-metre high fence and locked gate.
The planning application was submitted by a club that doesn’t represent our local community, and didn’t even consider it necessary to notify us of their plans.
Playing in a public park must remain free to all. I firmly believe that football should be for everyone, but this is the last grass pitch on public land in the southeast of Glasgow free for anyone to use. We've been sharing our park with the club for 15 years and will continue to - they don't need a fence.
This space is well loved by locals of all demographics, whether for sports, family picnics or just somewhere to unwind. That's how my petition collected more than 1,000 signatures on change.org in less than 5 days. People are really upset.
It's not just a local issue. A massive, locked fence rides roughshod over the "right to roam" and could set a worrying precedent for landowners and property developers all over Scotland.
The park is also a precious 'green corridor' in Glasgow for a variety of wildlife: foxes, bats, deer, badgers, and native birds. The fence will impede their free movement too. High netting above the fence threatens to ensnare the birds and bats.
I've received expert legal advice that this fence is unlawful. So I've brought an action for judicial review in the Court of Session on behalf of my local community.
My lawyers have offered to do most of the work for free. But there are other costs that can’t be avoided, including a risk of being personally stung with the council's legal costs if we lose.
I care about community access to green spaces. So, I’ve taken a leap of faith and chosen to stand up for my local community, for the right to roam, and for biodiversity. Your donation will help me to shoulder the risk for doing so.
Thank you so much for whatever you're able to pledge, big or small. Our campaign is fuelled by people power alone. Everything goes on legal costs, and nothing to me.
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I'll share on FacebookGreg Brown
Oct. 20, 2024
Here's how to save Cathkin Park
Have you told Historic Environment Scotland why the football ground in Cathkin Park is of national cultural importance?
There's still time! Read my tips for completing the survey.
(Don't worry about the loading screen, the platform's completely secure and anti-tracking.)
Or, head straight to the HES survey here.
The pitch surface
There's been no progress on the pitch since they took the surface off. It's still completely fenced off and no one seems to be using it just now.
A Freedom of Information request was recently brought to my attention which established that the club leasing the pitch plans to install a 'hybrid surface'. We used to have access to this open green space, but a hybrid surface aims to take this permanently from us.
The second Judicial Review
Protecting the serious football money 'invested' in this surface seems to be the council's number 1 priority as they continue to resist my legal challenge.
Because of this, I need another Protective Expenses Order. If you can, please share and donate again to my case.
People power beat this dreadful project once already. Let's see it off for good.
Greg Brown
Sept. 3, 2024
Works started today
Works commenced today. I don’t know exactly what the works are, but two tractors started pulling up the pitch.
After last week’s rumour that something would begin on Monday 2 September, I went down yesterday lunchtime. There were no works, materials, tractors, or any other signs of preparation yesterday.
But behind the fence that’s been locked for over 6 months, I spotted some very strange tyre marks up the pitchside. These photos were taken on 2 September at 12:01.
These marks clearly weren’t made by one of the tractors or trailers out there today. They were also on the opposite side of the pitch from where works started today. But they looked very familiar to me.
This is taken from the football academy’s planning application - its primary justification for wanting a fence. The community have asked the council for crime report numbers. They've not even been able to give us dates.
So, I’d say it looks like ‘quadbikes’ were recently allowed onto the pitch by the academy - or the academy have their own vehicle that leaves remarkably similar superficial marks. What do you think?
'How can I support the campaign?'
- Reply to Historic Environment Scotland's public consultation on designating the football ground in Cathkin Park: https://haveyoursay.historicenvironment.scot/heritage/share-your-views-on-cathkin-park-glasgow
Please note: After my post at the weekend alerting you to comments being re-opened on the first planning application, it was interesting to see the 'last date for comments' revert to 23 June 2023 yesterday.
Greg Brown
Aug. 31, 2024
Object to the fence before 10 September
Not only did the council approve a separate fence while my first court case was in full swing.
Now they’re thinking about permitting that first fence all over again!
You can submit your objections to the council before Tuesday 10 September.
- Either register/log into the portal: https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications
- Or email [email protected]
- Use planning reference 23/01268/FUL
- Refer to ‘material considerations’ if you can - the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the council’s duty to uphold public access to the pitch is one of them
The more local views we give them, the better. But you don’t need to live in the area to comment. Please share this wherever you can.
I was ‘tracking’ this application on the planning portal but never received notice. I only found out because I’m now checking the portal routinely myself.
Am I surprised by how close this objection deadline is, and how the local community haven’t been notified again? By this point in time - no, not really.
Greg Brown
Aug. 29, 2024
Almost unbelievable: Round 2 is happening
The council hasn’t appealed against the Court’s ruling. I should be celebrating our victory with you, but I can’t.
On Monday, entirely by chance, I discovered something I found really alarming.
I saw on the planning portal that, using different means, the council approved another ‘security’ fence in the same place while my action in the Court of Session was ongoing.
No one was notified, consulted, or invited to comment. No reference to this was made at any time during the court proceedings.
My lawyers were just as astonished as I was. They helped me to lodge ANOTHER challenge in the Court of Session.
It was best for this to take place in my name because it’s so relevant to my last case, but this means I’m exposed to the risk of costs all over again.
In the meantime, I’ve heard that some kind of development is due to begin on the pitch from Monday 2nd September. Is that the second fence? I’ve no idea. There’s nothing publicly available to suggest what might be about to happen.
‘What can I do to support the new case?’
Above all, we need to keep this in the public eye. Please consider doing any or all of the below:
- Historic Environment Scotland is considering designating the football ground in Cathkin Park as a site of special importance. This is huge, and was going to be the original headline of this update until Monday’s discovery.
Designation could help protect the park. It’s crucial that HES hear your views to understand the importance of the site! Please comment and share: https://bit.ly/designatecathkin - Share my crowdfunding page with your friends, family and neighbours.
- Donate again if you can.
- If you can share your time and energy, contact us: [email protected]
The fight continues.
Greg
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