A DECADE-LONG battle between developers and community activists has entered a new chapter of the “saga” over plans to reduce the size of a key wildlife corridor.
Residents and businesses of tiny Otago Lane in Glasgow’s west end began opposing a residential development on the banks of the River Kelvin more than 10 years ago.
They claimed it would harm the environment by blocking a crucial route used by otters, bats, kingfishers and more.
The row has gone on for so long that campaigners have called it a “saga” and the original developers have sold to Queensberry Properties, a joint venture between Cruden Homes and Buccleuch Property.
In January the city council issued a temporary stop notice on Queensberry Properties after it emerged that a number trees had been felled on the river bank.
Protesters moved in to block machinery over concern that mature specimens were being removed, contrary to planning conditions, of which there are around 30.
Now further action is planned after proposals were submitted to reduce the size of the green space.
The blueprint involves fencing off land between the established wildlife corridor. The Otago Lane Community Association has slammed the “completely unnecessary destruction of important wildlife habitat”, which it claims will be “disastrous”.
Work will resume on the site today following the end of the stop order and Queensberry Properties, which has permission for 45 flats and four townhouses, says it is acting within agreed permissions.
Last night a spokesperson told The National: “Following detailed and positive discussions with Glasgow City Council, work is re-commencing at Otago Lane from tomorrow. As a responsible developer, we have, as a matter of courtesy, distributed a letter to local residents and businesses to explain the necessary works that are about to be undertaken, all of which are in line with the council-approved planning consent.”
A petition demanding “an end to destruction” of the wildlife corridor garnered 1200 signatures in less than a fortnight. Martin Fell of the Otago Lane Community Association, who runs the Tchai-Ovna tea house, said protesters are likely to attend the site today.
Meanwhile, local Green councillor Martha Wardrop, who visited the site yesterday, told The National she has serious concerns about any reduction to the wild space.
“I’m pushing for the developer to revisit their plans and not to build on any of the green wildlife corridor area, which is important for biodiversity,” she said.
“With the threat to wildlife from climate change, our green space is now critical. The strategic plan is looking to reverse fragmentation of the wildlife corridor along the rivers Clyde and Kelvin. I’m hoping the developer will see sense.”
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