Save Cathkin Park

My name’s Greg. I live in Mount Florida, a neighbourhood in the Southside of Glasgow home to a unique footballing heritage. Our park was the second site of Scotland's national stadium, Hampden Park, but the fence will prioritise football for a select few.

I’m taking the council to court to stop them privatising our local park.

In December 2023 the council approved a planning application to close off the main part of our park behind a 3-metre high fence and locked gate.

The planning application was submitted by a club that doesn’t represent our local community, and didn’t even consider it necessary to notify us of their plans.

Playing in a public park must remain free to all. I firmly believe that football should be for everyone, but this is the last grass pitch on public land in the southeast of Glasgow free for anyone to use. We've been sharing our park with the club for 15 years and will continue to - they don't need a fence.

This space is well loved by locals of all demographics, whether for sports, family picnics or just somewhere to unwind. That's how my petition collected more than 1,000 signatures on change.org in less than 5 days. People are really upset.

It's not just a local issue. A massive, locked fence rides roughshod over the "right to roam" and could set a worrying precedent for landowners and property developers all over Scotland.

The park is also a precious 'green corridor' in Glasgow for a variety of wildlife: foxes, bats, deer, badgers, and native birds. The fence will impede their free movement too. High netting above the fence threatens to ensnare the birds and bats.

I've received expert legal advice that this fence is unlawful. So I've brought an action for judicial review in the Court of Session on behalf of my local community. 

My lawyers have offered to do most of the work for free. But there are other costs that can’t be avoided, including a risk of being personally stung with the council's legal costs if we lose.

I care about community access to green spaces. So, I’ve taken a leap of faith and chosen to stand up for my local community, for the right to roam, and for biodiversity. Your donation will help me to shoulder the risk for doing so.

Thank you so much for whatever you're able to pledge, big or small. Our campaign is fuelled by people power alone. Everything goes on legal costs, and nothing to me.