To: Glasgow City Council

Merchant City Park

GREEN NOT GREY

Saving the Space at Candleriggs/Ingram Street/Albion Street/The Old Fruitmarket

HUGGING THE FIRST TREE AGAINST THE CHAINSAW IS TOO LATE

There have now been 3 proposals to build on this site. The first in 2007 failed. The second in 2018 failed. The third is in process:

16 July 2024 – the Reporter has recommended approval for a seven storey Development consisting Of 109 Apartments And Commercial Units. Scottish Ministers agree with the reporter’s recommendation and are minded to grant planning permission, BUT defer their formal decision, in the first instance, for a period of 6 months to enable the relevant planning obligations … to be completed.

The local community has fought long and hard and we have 6 months in which to continue the fight, but a much louder voice is needed.

The community of the Merchant City and Trongate is campaigning for the 69-97 Ingram Street car park to be transformed into a City Park.

In line with Glasgow City Council Strategies for Development and Regeneration, we are calling for a much-needed green space in the heart of the City Centre.

Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division case link;
https://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=123135

Why is this important?

Glasgow City Centre is seriously lacking in green spaces. A City Park, built a mere 5 minutes’ walk from George Square, surrounded by lovely local cafés and restaurants, will be an invaluable boost to our wonderful city.

Merchant City & Trongate Community Council (MCTCC), following the withdrawal of a Planning Application for an hotel at the Ingram Street Car Park, agreed that a City Park would be the best use of this site. A City Park on this site would protect the beautiful world-renowned Fruitmarket Mural by Smug, which has become a much-visited sight of the city, and the existing stunning mature cherry and chestnut trees.

With both a world-renowned piece of art and existing mature trees, this site could be an oasis of peace and beauty in a historic part of Glasgow. The City Park would be entirely inclusive, open for residents, visitors, tourists and the wider general public. People could simply relax in nature, rest, read, meet up, mix, chat, walk the dog or play games. All right in the City Centre of Glasgow.

How it will be delivered

With your support, we can put pressure on Glasgow City Council to transform this car park for the better of the local community and the wider city. With your support we can create a beautiful park with wonderful Cherry and chestnut trees and a world-renowned mural in the heart of a historic part of Glasgow.

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Links

Campaign Facebook Page Campaign Website

Updates

2024-10-15 17:25:07 +0100

We've been raising awareness by leafleting local residents in the immediate area, highlighting what might happen to the site next spring.
Thanks to local businesses (who will be directly affected and oppose the development) for putting up our posters. It means a lot. ✊
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=866083708989942&set=a.423282699936714

2024-09-16 19:27:01 +0100

This week our Campaign reached 2000 signatures!!!
THANK YOU to everyone who signed to save against development, we can't thank you enough for taking time to sign the petition.
Behind the scenes we are busy reading up and planning a campaign re-launch. Meantime we need many more voices, so keep it going and pass the link on... 😉

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/merhcant-city-park

2024-08-09 15:18:55 +0100

Some recent press following the announcement Scottish Ministers agree with the reporter’s recommendation and are minded to grant planning permission.
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24460278.glasgow-residents-bitterly-disappointed-park-dreams-shattered/

2022-06-17 11:34:52 +0100

We have until Tuesday 21st June to lodge objections to the proposed development at 65-97 Ingram St, and we need your help!

Please visit our website for info on how to lodge an objection https://merchantcitypark.org/object

2020-08-12 10:25:31 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2020-07-26 08:57:31 +0100

500 signatures reached

2020-07-20 12:19:46 +0100

100 signatures reached

2020-07-19 20:57:48 +0100

50 signatures reached

2020-07-17 17:01:33 +0100

25 signatures reached

2020-07-17 11:06:23 +0100

10 signatures reached