leyton.org

I’ve previously blogged about the Go Ape proposal in Pollok Park (here and here). It’s currently a very hot topic in Glasgow, and the letters pages of the various newspapers have been full of debate, largely because of the excellent efforts of the Save Pollok Park campaign.

A lot of people, myself included, feel that Glasgow council have been extremely underhand in how they have handled the “consultation”, massaging the process by asking large numbers of school children to express their views, and not publicising it in any way in the park itself, or the local community.

My core objection though is the ongoing attack this seems to represent on the park itself. It was given to the people of Glasgow in a wonderful spirit of generosity by the Maxwell family. To start carving more of it up, and charging people for the privilege of using it, is counter to the spirit of the gift. It has already been developed on with sports facilities, police facilities, playgrounds and the necessary roads/parking. There’s also The Burrell Collection, but that compliments the park in many ways, and is free to everybody.

I’ve finally written off my official objection (text follows if it’s of interest), and also written to my three local councillors.

I’d encourage anybody who cares about the park to do similar. There are excellent resources to help construct a letter at www.savepollokpark.com – Be sure to CC your local councillors too if you’re a Glasgow council taxpayer.

Dear Mr Malik, Mr Meikle and Mr Rabbani,

As my local councillors, I’m sure you will be aware of the Go Ape proposal.

Whilst I know that Go Ape is a fun outdoor activity, it is in my view entirely unsuited to Pollok Park, and will fundamentally change one of the few remaining quiet parts of the park, and goes against the very spirit of the gift by charging park users.

I took the liberty of CC’ing you on my objection letter to Mr McCollam which further outlines my concerns.

As my elected representatives on Glasgow council, I would strongly encourage you to consider the long term negative impact this proposal will have on Pollok Park, easily one of the UK’s best inner-city parks, and use the power and influence you have to ensure this ill-conceived proposal goes no further.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Leyton, Shawlands, Glasgow

Letter to Planning Officer:

From: Richard Leyton Date: 17 January 2008 16:54:28 GMT To: Sean McCollam Cc: Irfan Rabbani, David Meikle, Khalil Malik Subject: Go Ape proposal (Pollok Park 07/0308)

Dear Mr McCollam,

I’m writing to formally register my objection to the Go Ape proposal for Pollok Park (Ref Pollok Park 07/0308)

My objection is founded on a number of matters:

• Insufficent publicity of the proposals. Despite being a regular (3+ times per week) park user, I have yet to see any public announcements of the proposals in or around the park; Further, as a very nearby resident, no attempt appears to have been made to alert us to the proposals, which is a new commercial enterprise will impact locally.

• Noise – Having recently seen the Aberfoyle installation, I’m aware that ‘Go Ape’, when used, is not an altogether quiet activity. Zip slides, and elevated voices carry much further, and by the very nature of the activity, I doubt it’ll be quiet conversation between participants much of the time. This proposed location is in a section of the park that remains one of the last quiet parts. The noise will seriously detract from its appeal.

• The park was bequeathed to the people of Glasgow by the Maxwell family, in what was a very generous gesture. It seems to be entirely disrespectful of the spirit of their intentions to make parts of it only accessible having paid money.

• With the Burrell collection, police buildings, car parking, and sports facilities, Pollok Park has already lost a lot of parkland. This development would further reduce the remaining park space.

• Impact on existing facilities – Pollok park is already a busy attraction. A new facility will make it busier still. Walking/jogging along the roads is already made dangerous by speeding cars. More cars/coaches will make it more dangerous still.

• The Aberfoyle Go Ape facility is only an hour away from Glasgow, and hardly inconvenient for anybody wishing to take part in such an activity.

I would appreciate it if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter,

Yours sincerely,

Richard Leyton, Shawlands,Glasgow

CC. Cllrs Malik, Meikle and Rabbani, Pollokshield Ward.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm and is filed under Glasgow, Politics, Scotland, Scottish Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.