November 12 2020

Antipathy towards residential encroachment on a series of bowling club grounds around Glasgow is coming to a head in Mount Florida, where resistance is building to plans for 40 flats by Noah Developments.

A planning committee hearing is set to take place on Tuesday where the case will be made to pursue alternative plans to designate the grounds as protected open space, an idea championed by Mount Florida Community Trust who harbour hopes of installing a tennis court as part of a new public space.

A planning application along these lines has already been approved but as ownership of the site has already passed to Noah they cannot be progressed.

Hundreds of locals have lodged official objections to the plans but the applicant insists that previously inaccessible private land will be retained for public use as open green space as part of their own plans.

Trust spokesperson Allan Munro told Urban Realm: "We have to stop developers getting easy pickings on bowling greens! These places are the soul of communities and if the correct people are allowed to take ownership of these spaces, great things can be done. In this time of hardship, more than ever before we need these spaces to be protected and not developed.

"In this area, we already have developments at the old Scottish Power offices, Inverlair Avenue, Holmlea Primary School and the development at the Victoria Infirmary. We must stand up against developments that provide profit, not value. We are relying on the planning committee to consider the arguments against this development and vote to reject, showing that Glasgow communities, residents and children have a right to these precious protected spaces and not developers."

In recent years similar bowling green developments have sprung up at Partickhill; Finnieston and Shawlands as declining membership reduces their viability. 

16 Comments

#1 Posted by J-Mo on 13 Nov 2020 at 10:07 AM

I love a good local frenzy when people’s views (ie outlook) are under threat. Let’s be honest - people only give a toss about these ‘precious spaces’ when there is a risk of having a view directly onto someone’s clothes drying on a terrace thrust upon them.

Good luck, to both sides.

#2 Posted by Aul tadger on 13 Nov 2020 at 11:30 AM

"soul of communities".....about 40 years ago maybe - move on, people need places to live.

#3 Posted by Bowling for Soup on 13 Nov 2020 at 11:57 AM

They are easy picking for a reason, Allan.

#4 Posted by Derek on 13 Nov 2020 at 23:19 PM

Will be interesting to see if the council applies a degree of consistency compared to previous similar cases. Council guidance definitely errs on the side of protecting such spaces for very good reasons.

#5 Posted by Andreia on 13 Nov 2020 at 23:53 PM

"...people only give a toss about these ‘precious spaces’ when there is a risk of having a view directly onto someone’s clothes drying on a terrace thrust upon them".

So the hundreds of people that objected to Noah Developments stay across the bowling green? Of course not. I don't and I'm against it. Rather have a space where the community can socialise and get children into sports like tennis, that's a lot more important than a concrete monstrosity

#6 Posted by Alison McHugh on 14 Nov 2020 at 11:18 AM

I really hope the local community wins. Mount Florida is a great community but their is no green space. I walk the kids to Mount Florida Primary School which has no green and a small playground and is surrounded by busy roads. There is no where for pre-teens to hangout apart from Holmlea Park and The Rec. Could the community space hold a youth club one day a week?

#7 Posted by Stephen MacArthur on 14 Nov 2020 at 19:19 PM

Where were all these concerned locals when the bowling club was on its knees and needed there support.
Bowling clubs are only the soul of the comminuty if they use them.
As the old saying goes! If you dont use it you lose it!

#8 Posted by David on 15 Nov 2020 at 08:26 AM

‘‘If you don’t use it you lose it’ is such a negative and short sighted comment. I’d say this whole case looks like a mismanagement of an asset and unwillingness to open up and diversify. New management and positive direction can work wonders. Businesses need to move with the times and diversify (Blockbuster Video anyone??). Great open green space with a clear demand (not just bowls) and value to the community.

#9 Posted by Bowling for Soup on 15 Nov 2020 at 14:24 PM

David, it’s an old saying for a reason.

#10 Posted by Mies van der no more bowling clubs on 15 Nov 2020 at 16:17 PM

It’s a sign of the times really. Bowling clubs and the ‘precious green space’ they take up are prime for developing. So long as the resulting project provides an element of considered green space (as is actually required by policy) then what is the big deal?

And please don’t give me the ‘what about the community and the children’ tripe. It’s transparent and frankly, it’s embarrassing.

#11 Posted by Noah more excuses - get it built on 15 Nov 2020 at 16:24 PM

#6 - why is it the responsibility of any developer to make up for the shortfall of another site? The fact the primary school doesn’t have a ‘green’ is terrible - but why do people then look to thrust that under-provision on any proposed development - just because it’s in the same area? The school’s location surrounded by busy roads is also not the fault of a prospective developer. Presumably these points have been well document and campaigned upon for years and the local community council / elected members lobbied for change?

No? Thought so.

#12 Posted by Normal chap at home on 15 Nov 2020 at 23:16 PM

#7 most same people would have nothing to do with these officious buffoons that run bowling clubs which are a hangover from the days of the empire.

#13 Posted by Ross Mitchell on 16 Nov 2020 at 10:00 AM

The fundamental issue is about whether recreational space should be lost in this community, because once it's lost it's gone for good. Obviously a bowling club is of no use to 99% of people, but how can a community mobilise and come up with a new proposal? It's a lot easier for a private developer to come along with their commercial development, even if it doesn't serve the greater good.

#14 Posted by Richard Corsie on 16 Nov 2020 at 10:52 AM

The developer will have an idea of what they are willing to provide and if they can find a way to get away with less than the bare minimum, they will - let's not kid ourselves here!

#15 Posted by Bowl over Beethoven on 17 Nov 2020 at 07:55 AM

What provision will be made for dogs and dog walkers generally?

#16 Posted by Hunter on 17 Nov 2020 at 22:10 PM

#15 calm doon, it won't interrupt the dog walkers selfish desire to leave their dogs mess on the pavements

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