www.change.org/p/east-renfrewshire-counc...t-27826597-en-gb%3A6
The story so far
On 4th March 2021 a paper proposing the disposal of land currently known as 'Crookfur Park' was presented to East Renfrewshire Council cabinet.
The paper presented by the Director of the Environment Andy Cahill, indicated the proposal was to lease the land to St Cadocs football club for a period of 25 years at the cost of £1 per year.
The club have indicated that they would wish to replace the two football pitches with Astro Turf, build a pavillion and changing rooms, a car park and floodlights for the pitches.
The map shown with the papers indicates that they wish to occupy the running track and all of the adjacent land.
The legislation that relates to councils disposing of land imposes a duty of the council to advertise the proposal in the local press for a period of two weeks.
The Director has indicated that due to purdah he will not do this until after the May 2021 Scottish elections.
The purpose of the advert is to permit people to lodge 'objections' and these will then be taken to the cabinet when they meet to decide on the disposal proposition.
The leader of the council Tony Buchanan, said at that meeting "discussions have been ongoing for some time"
The period to lodge objections will be the two week period after the May 2021 elections, and we will know who these objections have to be lodged with at that time.
Meanwhile it would be helpful if you could share this information with as many people as you can.
It appears that not only have the public been unaware of this land disposal proposal, but also 'Parklands' have been unaware.
Steps have now been taken to alert the owner accordingly.
As far as I am aware not one person wishes to prevent St Cadocs footballers from playing football, the public actually do not wish the loss of access to public owned land.
It has also come to light that some people are of the opinion that there was an 'adult play zone' which children also used.
Although the machines were meant for the elderly to use and a few are in the Cadoc woods.
It is well documented on this page that ERC allegedly made an error and had to decimate a large number of trees in order to expand the rear ground space of the nursery.
If discussions were ongoing for some time, after the new build was proposed, did that ensure that ERC required to move these machines to the rear of the nursery to ensure public access?
It has also come to light from users of Parklands that many people use the running track for excercise in the early mornings.
It is also very interesting to learn that schools used this land for outdoor activity.
The Director has said that there will be no payback, as no school is associated with the land.
No payback ie, provided free access to the land after it is disposed of.