Councillors approve Go Ape plan

Protestors said they will continue to fight against the proposals

Councillors in Glasgow have voted in favour of a controversial tree-top adventure course in Pollok Park.

The proposal, which would see an area of the park leased to Go Ape - the company behind the play area - was passed by 14 votes to six.

The application will now be referred to ministers at Holyrood because Glasgow City Council has a financial interest in the scheme.

Campaigners said they want ministers to re-examine the whole planning process.

The proposed Go Ape adventure play area would see platforms and zip slides placed in the trees near the Burrell collection in the park. Members of the planning committee at Glasgow City Council voted in favour of the plan after a special meeting and visit to the site.

They were greeted by about 60 protesters who said they were opposed to a commercial development in a public park.

The proposed park would be situated near the Burrell collection

In a statement the convenor of the planning committee George Redmond said: "It was important, given the high level of public interest in this proposal, that there was a full and fair hearing to allow the interested parties to make factual representations."

Environmental campaigners have said they will continue to fight against the plan.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, said Glasgow City Council had an abysmal track record in protecting its parks and greens spaces.

He said: "They have permitted attacks on green spaces large and small, and they have earned the resentment of people throughout the city.

"This time they have picked on one of the most tranquil spots in the whole of Glasgow, and there is no way that the Scottish Government should permit this vandalism. I will be making urgent representations to ministers to call in this outrageous decision."