Glasgow Cathkin Park: Football pitch fate revealed tomorrow

As the Glasgow Times reported in June, a plan was submitted to the council to fence off the football pitch in Cathkin Park, which used to be the site of the second Hampden Park.

The Jimmy Johnstone Academy handed in the proposal to cordon off the grass area after receiving a 20-year lease on it for an annual fee of £750.

The council's planning committee meets tomorrow to decide if the bid will be granted.

Residents opposed to the plans (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Residents living around the park rallied together against the proposal as 187 official objections were submitted.

Kirsty Turkington, who visits almost every day, said: "I think this is terrible. It could be very bad for us.

"They can't just erect a huge fence around the football pitch, it would mean we won't have access to it. This is the last publicly available football pitch in the G42 area.

"Any local children who aren't in the team or any girls, are left out.

"But people also use it for a wide range of activities, exercises, picnics, dog walking.

"The big floodlights will also disrupt the animals.

"I'm disappointed that the council is not taking our opinions seriously.

"The community is really angry about this."

READ NEXT: Glasgow residents hit out at plans to fence off football pitch

The Jimmy Johnstone Football Academy insist that the fence would protect the pitch from vandalism and damage caused by broken bottles, dog fouling, portable BBQs and more.

It will also stop people from driving cars on it or playing golf.

A spokesperson from the organisation said: "It’s important that we fulfil our obligation to look after this piece of world footballing history which we are now the custodians of for generations to come for this great city of Glasgow.

"When we took on the long-term lease, we promised that we would improve the grass football pitch for future generations, which is still our plan.

"May we stress that the monies and investment that we have already invested and shall continue to invest can only be justified by protecting the grass football pitch, which helps this asset owned by Glasgow City Council to flourish.

"We do not wish for anyone not to have access to the actual park and never will."

Cathkin Park (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Council officers recommended the development to be accepted.

A report said it would "secure the site, strengthen its use as a playing field and would allow the investment of some £500k in its ongoing improvement".

It was also noted that the plan is in line with local development plans.