Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for the Glasgow region, has written to George Black, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council, to voice his concerns about the sale of North Kelvin Meadow, at Clouston playing fields, to New City Vision Ltd. for the construction of flats. This is further to contact from a considerable number of constituents regarding the matter.

The piece of land located at the Clouston Street playing fields was adopted by local residents as an allotment and now contains a fruit-garden, composting facilities and a wild flower plantation.

Constituents have expressed their concerns at the shortage of alternative allotment grounds in the already densely-populated area of Maryhill and North Kelvinside-if North Kelvin Meadow were to be taken for the development of flats.

In his letter Mr Kidd also enquired about the suspension of the collaboration between Glasgow City Council and New City Vision for the development of the Drumchapel New Neighbourhood project. Mr Kidd pointed out that Drumchapel - in comparative terms, a less densely populated area than Maryhill and North Kelvinside and lacking in good amenities - would benefit to a greater extent from investment and development than would North Kelvin.

Commenting, Mr Kidd said: "Many constituents have contacted me, voicing their concerns at the sale of North Kelvin Meadow for the development of flats.

"The North Kelvin Meadow provides a chance for local people to come together to turn around a disused piece of land, after decades of neglect under the ownership of Glasgow City Council, in the name of community spirit and pride. With the sale of this piece of land for the construction of flats, this local asset will be lost.

"It doesn't stand to reason that the Council should be investing in the construction of flats, to which there is local opposition, in an already densely-populated area of the city, while suspending the development in Drumchapel-an area in great need of investment for quality housing and good amenities.

"I will continue to press Glasgow City Council to ensure that the concerns of my constituents are known."