Liberal Democrat councillors in Glasgow back campaign against "Go Ape" in Pollok Park

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 24th Oct 2008

Liberal Democrat councillors in Glasgow are backing campaigners who are trying to stop the Council from allowing "Go Ape" to set up in woodland in Pollok Park.

Councillor Paul Coleshill is writing to the Chief Executive, calling on the Council not to go ahead with the scheme unless they can get permission from the National Trust for Scotland.

Councillor Coleshill said:

"The "Go Ape" scheme is opposed by most of the people who live near the park, and by those who enjoy walking in the park's woodlands. Despite this opposition, the Council have done a deal with "Go Ape" and Scottish Ministers have given the scheme planning permission.

"But the Council needs the permission of the National Trust for Scotland for this scheme. That is a condition of the Maxwell family's gift of the park to the people of Glasgow, and it is still in force. "Go Ape" will not get a secure title to build their development without the National Trust's consent. We know that the National Trust are unhappy with the scheme. We are calling on the Council to get National Trust consent, or abandon the plan."

Councillor Coleshill added:

"Up to now, Glasgow City Council have ignored the people of Glasgow who don't want "Go Ape" in Pollok Park, and now they may be ignoring the law. The Council claims that the scheme will promote healthy exercise, but at £41 a go it won't be much used to hard pressed families. Liberal Democrat councillors in Glasgow will fight to defend a precious green space that was gifted to the people of Glasgow for their pleasure, not to the Council to make money."