1<\/p>\n Mount Florida residents form a \u2018hug\u2019 ring around local bowling club on Carmunnock RoadCredit: SWNS<\/p>\n Noah Management and Developments is bidding to transform what they claim is a brownfield by building 32 flats.<\/p>\n However, locals insist that the grass pitch is the only greenery accessible to them and they would like to use it.<\/p>\n Nicola Smith is the chair of the directors at Mount Florida Community Trust, which was set up to fight this proposal.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cIt\u2019s right in the heart of our community, right in front of our eyes.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON THE SCOTTISH SUN<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just very, very sad that it\u2019s not available to the community.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you out of your mind to build on that space? It\u2019s our only green area.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are other places that could be built on, even within the boundaries of Mount Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want access to this.<\/p>\n \u201cThe argument<\/a> that we didn\u2019t have access to it before because it was privately owned, frankly, does not hold water<\/a>, as it doesn\u2019t mean that we can\u2019t be entitled to having access to it now.\u201d<\/p>\n After the bowling club closed due to insufficient numbers, the battle for the site started in 2020, when the first plan was lodged for 40 homes<\/a> on the Southside area. <\/p>\n I\u2019m stuck in planning row after ONE neighbour complained about my shed – I\u2019ve hired a CRANE to prove I\u2019ve broken no laws<\/p>\n This was rejected by planning<\/a> officials, along with an appeal.<\/p>\n But now, the developer submitted a set of new documents, which are due to go before the committee and are recommended for approval.<\/p>\n The application, which received 125 letters of support, includes a publicly accessible community space, spanning over half the existing site, as well as a \u201ccommunity facility\u201d.<\/p>\n Glasgow City Council<\/a> also received 249 objections to this bid as members to the group say half of the field is \u201cnot enough\u201d.<\/p>\n Nicola explained: \u201cIf it\u2019s lost, it\u2019s lost forever.<\/p>\n \u201cNobody pulls down buildings to reinstate a park<\/a>, so we are desperately trying to keep this space green.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen word started to get out that the club was really in difficulties, we asked if we could negotiate with them to look into ways to purchase the site.<\/p>\n \u201cBut all of those applications were denied.<\/p>\n \u201cThe developer went ahead and bought the site. They knew that there was a strong community wish to keep that space.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they pressed ahead and bought it anyway. It was essentially a hostile act against the community because we had demonstrated our need and enthusiasm to keep this space.\u201d<\/p>\n Their goal is to get hold of the greenery and develop it not into a housing<\/a> scheme but something that residents can use, especially since the site is near a school<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Mount Florida local explained that the lengthy planning dispute is draining but they will not give up.<\/p>\n She said the process feels like the odds are stacked against them but added: \u201cWe are clinging on to this green space, desperately trying.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s recognised that Mount Florida is short of green space, and it\u2019s not as though there is anywhere else in the area that we could go.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a whole conversation that should not have gotten this far because after the last planning application was rejected, the community had resoundingly demonstrated the need for this space.<\/p>\n \u201cWe live here, this is going to influence the whole feel of our environment<\/a> forever.<\/p>\n Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/120-mount-florida-residents-hugged-992511425.jpg\")
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