A CONTROVERSIAL tree-top adventure course is set to be built in Pollok Park, despite widespread opposition, after the Scottish Government yesterday refused to intervene on Glasgow City Council's plans.
Protesters, who enjoyed the support of Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, had hoped the decision to build high-level rope walkways and slides in North Wood near the Burrell Collection would be called in and over-turned.
However, a s
pokesman for the Scottish Government said ministers would not issue any restrictions or call in the plan.
Glasgow City Council, which previously passed the application, will now have the final say, while campaigners are looking at ways to launch a legal challenge.
The Go Ape development would be the latest in a chain of 17 adventure playgrounds featuring slides and high rope walkways. The scheme, which was passed by the city's planning department in March, was then referred to Holyrood as the council, which would be paid for leasing the land, had a financial interest in the venture.
Prior to the vote, a high-profile campaign, Save Pollok Park, was started by residents and attracted 900 written objections, a 4,000-signature petition and the support of Ms Sturgeon, who is also MSP for Glasgow Govan.
Last night, a Scottish Government spokesman said: "It is not ministers' intention to intervene in this application … The council has been authorised to deal with the application."
Bill Fraser, spokesman for Save Pollok Park, said: "We're extremely disappointed. We're going to seriously consider a legal challenge to the council's right to grant a lease in Pollok Park."
Mr Fraser said he believed the council did not have the ability to grant a lease to the adventure course without the permission of the National Trust for Scotland and the Maxwell family, which gifted Pollok Park to the city.
Last night, a spokeswoman for Go Ape said: "We welcome the Scottish Government's indication that the application will not be called in by ministers. We have always felt it is up to elected representatives to decide on the best way forward, whether it be at national or local level. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment until the formal planning process has been fully completed."
She added: "This year has been a tremendous year with about 20,000 people having enjoyed visiting Go Ape in Aberfoyle. About one-third of those come from the Glasgow area and have to make a lengthy drive into the Trossachs, so we would like to be able to provide this challenging and exciting outdoors activity closer to home."
The council will now send out decision notices to Go Ape and all the objectors informing them that the adventure course has been given the go-ahead.
The full article contains 462 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
