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.

The park at 12 noon today (Sunday)

4/4/2021

Published Barrhead News On Line -

News

5 hrs ago

'Save Crookfur Park': Pitch battle over football club’s bid to adopt park as new home

By Norman Silvester Reporter

RESIDENTS have shown a red card to an East Renfrewshire football club’s bid to adopt a public park as its new home.

St Cadoc’s Youth Club, based in Newton Mearns, want to convert playing fields at Crookfur into two all-weather pitches, with floodlighting, for their 750 players.

The proposals also include a car park, pavilion and changing rooms.

However, a petition against the club’s plans has already gained more than 1,400 signatures.

Campaigners say the pitches would mean a loss of public access to the land and remove a vital green space.

St Cadoc’s adult side joined the West of Scotland Football League last year, which is the sixth tier of Scottish football.

The league includes well-supported teams such as Irvine Meadow and some locals fear disruption on matchdays.

Tom Taylor, of the Save Crookfur Park campaign group, said: “We’re perturbed that the council are talking about disposing of the land and taking it out of public hands.

“This will effectively become a home ground for the club. It means the last remaining section of this old park will be lost for recreation to the public. This is a piece of community land which has been in public ownership for a very long time. We want it to stay that way.”

St Cadoc’s are being offered a 25-year lease, at a rent of £1 a year, by East Renfrewshire Council.

The club already gets priority booking of the pitch at nearby Eastwood High School for training sessions.

At present, the senior team play their home games at the ground of St Anthony’s FC, in Govan, while the youth teams play at different venues.

Crookfur Park campaigners have been posting flyers through the doors of local residents to bring the pitch proposals to their attention.

Mr Taylor added: “The council must take on board all the objections.

“The development will also spoil a lot of views that people enjoy from their homes.

“We are told the club will run seven nights a week and all day Sunday and Saturday. We have also been told they have ambitions to become a major football club and this will become their home ground.

“There are further fears that fans of other clubs arriving at the ground on matchdays will cause disruption and disorder.

“Our main concern, however, is the loss of this valued open green space which was gifted to the public.

“Rather than this being a community initiative, it is beginning to look more like a commercial money-making venture.”

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: “These proposed plans are at a very early stage and no decision has been taken.

“A public consultation on the matter will be held this summer, where the local community will have an opportunity to have their say.”

East Renfrewshire club has big ambitions

St CADOC’S was formed in 1987 by David Jones, janitor at St Cadoc’s Primary School, and has since grown into a large community sports club that offers football and netball.

At present, it has 13 youth teams, ranging in ages from five to 18, as well as an adult team.

St Cadoc’s has said its plans for the Crookfur site would “create a facility that greatly benefits the entire community.”

A spokesperson added: “We invite everyone with an interest in community, sport, health and wellbeing to support our club and this fantastic plan to increase sports provision in Newton Mearns for all.

“St Cadoc’s are grateful to Barrhead Youth Football Club, Arthurlie Juniors and coaches from Giffnock Soccer Club for their letters of support.

“We look forward to providing more detail in the coming weeks.”

Published Barrhead News On Line -

News

11th April

'Save Crookfur Park': Club defends bid to create new all-weather pitches

By Pippa Smith Reporter

ALMOST 2,000 people have signed a petition backing an East Renfrewshire football club’s plans to turn playing fields into all-weather pitches.

St Cadoc’s Youth Club, which is based in Newton Mearns and has 750 players, hopes to create two pitches, with floodlighting, at Crookfur Playing Fields.

The proposals, which also include a car park, pavilion and changing rooms, are being opposed by a number of local residents who say a loss of public access to the land is unacceptable.

However, a petition launched by the club to garner support for the plans has gained more than 1,900 signatures.

A spokesperson for St Cadoc’s said: “The club is made up of 1,000 children, volunteer coaches and parent helpers from 26 local schools – all of whom have had heavily-reduced playing and training time due to a lack of available facilities while Crookfur Playing Fields remain largely redundant.

“The club proposes to self-fund the development of two all-weather pitches and multi-use sports courts for basketball and tennis, all of which will be available for the community to use free of charge and to let our kids play.

“This proposal accords with East Renfrewshire Council’s playing pitch strategy and we are grateful for their support."

Meanwhile, a petition launched as part of objections to the proposals has around 1,400 supporters.


Tom Taylor, of the Save Crookfur Park campaign group, said: “We’re perturbed that the council are talking about disposing of the land and taking it out of public hands.

“This will effectively become a home ground for the club. It means the last remaining section of this old park will be lost for recreation to the public.

“This community land has been in public ownership for a very long time. We want it to stay that way.”

This is not a competition to see which petition can obtain the most signatures.

The people who have signed wishing to protect the park from being disposed of by this council, all reside in East Renfrewshire.

Wish I could say the same about those that have the other petition.

If the disposal of the land by this council goes ahead this will be the view X2, also a large car park, changing facilities and other facilities (ie. toilets)