Mount Florida Community Trust is a community body trying to save the site of the former Mount Florida Bowling Club for current and future generations. 

Summary

In 2026, Glasgow City Council approved a planning application on the site of Mount Florida Bowling Club despite significant community opposition, including objections, petitions and representations from the Community Council and local Councillors.

The Trust has obtained legal advice that there are credible grounds to argue that aspects of the Council’s decision-making process, including the interpretation and application of relevant planning policies and consultation requirements, should be reconsidered by the court

Call to action

We are raising funds so that we can seek a Judicial Review of the case. To do this, we need to cover our own legal team's fees and also have the liability of opposition costs covered in case we are unsuccessful. We need community support - please contribute if you can, and share this page widely!

What are we trying to achieve? 

Mount Florida has very little accessible green space. This site sits at the heart of the community and the Trust believes there are strong planning and community-interest arguments for its protection.

We know that a successful judicial review would not itself secure the site for community ownership or guarantee that development would never take place. However, it would provide an opportunity for the planning application to be reconsidered through a further decision-making process in which the community can participate.

We passionately believe that this green space is irreplaceable and worth fighting for. Throughout the last seven years we have focussed on one step at a time, as foundations for the longer-term potential of the site. If we are not able to try this step now, there may not be another chance. 

What is the next step in the case? 

If sufficient funds are raised, the Trust aims to lodge judicial review proceedings challenging the Council’s decision-making process. If successful, the court would require the Council to reconsider the planning application through a further lawful decision-making process. Legal opinion suggests this would likely require further evidence gathering and renewed consideration of key planning and community issues. 

How much are we raising and why?

We estimate that approximately £15,000 is required to cover the Trust’s own legal costs together with potential liability for legal expenses arising from the case. We already have significant offline pledges in place, which is why the public campaign target is set at £9,700.

Because of the strict legal timescales that apply to judicial review proceedings, the Board will need to decide within a very short period whether the Trust is in a position to proceed. If sufficient funds are not raised by 24 May 2026, proceedings will not be lodged and donations will be returned in accordance with CrowdJustice’s terms.

Thanks for taking the time to read about our campaign! If you would like to see some of the history, including footage of our 'Hug The Club' flashmob, take a look at facebook.com/mountfloridacommunitytrust