WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT...................others greenspaces are also under threat if these planning applications are approved, so please help and put in your letters of objection by Friday 5th October 2007..........the clock is running.............

Plans have recently been submitted by Southside Housing Association for buildings to be constucted on the green sites on the corners of Leslie Street and Forth Street, and Leslie Street and Keir Street. These are council-maintained grassy sites with large mature trees and shrubs.

These sites are situated in the East Pollokshields conservation area, and for good reason the trees are covered by Tree Preservation Orders.

The green spaces are an important part of the character and pleasantness of our local area, and were never built on by the original developers of Pollokshields around the turn of the century, nor any since. They form important breathing space in an area of higher-than-average population density.

The Leslie Street Greenspaces Group has been formed by a diverse cross-section of the local community to try to ensure that the green spaces remain green, and are improved. The group has recently been improving the spaces and bringing the community together with de-littering and gardening events. People are beginning to use the areas (now named “Turtle Park” and “Stepping Stones Park”) for sports activities such as boules and badminton.

The group is made up of people from very different backgrounds, and we are well aware of the many different needs within our wonderfully diverse community.

We are keen to ensure that these needs are catered for in a carefully considered plan. Members of our group have been actively involved in meetings with Glasgow City Council and groups such as the Community Council and Pollokshields Heritage to try to ensure that planning decisions are made according to such a stategic, long-term, inclusive and coherent plan. Such a plan would now appear to be in the making, but this will not be completed for some time.

In the meantime, it is important to protect our green spaces. If these are removed before the production of a plan which considers the long-term needs of the whole of the Pollokshields community, we run the risk of losing valuable breathing spaces whilst not suitably redressing other serious issues.

Direct contact with Southside Housing Association by the Leslie Street Greenspaces Group, Pollokshields Community Council and Pollokshields Heritage have not resulted in a withdrawal of plans to build. We are very disappointed that SHA have pressed ahead with what we see as ill-advised, piecemeal and divisive plans, and we are concerned about the precedent being set for gradual erosion of green spaces.

Therefore, we see it as of the utmost importance to object to the current planning applications.

Please mail lesliestreetgreenspaces@gmail.com for more information.

Letters of objection should be sent to Development & Regeneration Services, 229 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1QU, or planning.representations@drs.glasgow.gov.uk

The case officer in charge of the application is Sarah Shaw. Her direct dial number is 0141 287 6066. Planning application reference numbers are 07/02936/DC for Leslie Street/Forth Street, and 07/02937/DC for Leslie Street/Keir Street.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT...................others greenspaces are also under threat if these planning applications are approved, so please help and put in your letters of objection by Friday 5th October 2007..........the clock is running.............