Glasgow City Council approves bid to fence off football pitch

As the Glasgow Times reported, the Jimmy Johnstone Academy sought permission to erect a 3m fence around the Cathkin Park pitch, which is leased to them.

Councillors met today and unanimously voted to accept the proposal.

The site of the second Hampden Park, and home of the now defunct Third Lanark, is being used and looked after by the organisation, which said the cordon will protect it from vandalism and damage caused by broken bottles, dog fouling, portable BBQs and more. 

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Councillors on the planning committee agreed with the reasoning.

Maureen Burke stated "I can understand why they want to put the fence around it and it looks pleasing".

James Scanlon added: "This is a no-brainer for me."

They discussed the historical importance of the site and noted the academy's plans to invest a further £500,000 into the grass area, benefitting the community in the long term.

Hanif Raja said: "It's an excellent idea for youths".

The politicians discussed that 186 objections were submitted by locals and their representatives.

Most of these raised that residents will no longer be able to use the area and the harmful effects of the structure on wildlife.

Paul Leinster, said: "I understand that there are a lot of options [for dog walkers, runners etc] locally."

It was also mentioned that the football pitch takes up only 20% of the park.

Natalie Rolph and Kirsty Turkington (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Campaigners against the plans (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Kirsty Turkington, fighting against the bid, said most of the area, however, is sloped and covered in trees. Most of the landscaped and able-to-use surface is covered by the pitch.

She added: "I'm really disappointed about this outcome. This is terrible.

"These are our elected councillors and they should be looking after our interests not a company.

"It's clear that they don't have our interests in mind.

"This will impact us really badly.

"I'm lucky to have a garden now but when I lived in a tenement nearby, the park was the only place where I could get out.

"It's the only place that I can go to on my lunch break and for exercise."

Friends of Cathkin Park and those living around the greenspace have come together to oppose the development since it was handed in earlier this year.

Councillor Leinster said: "I am going to be following them [the applicant] very closely and make sure that they make a conscious effort to be better neighbours."

A spokesperson from the Jimmy Johnstone Football Academy said they were "delighted" with the decision.