An update from the campaign to Save Pollok Park from the expansion of commercial development spearheaded by the "£20 to climb the trees" company Go Ape. Mentions building work to begin soon. The campaign meets next Tuesday.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT KNOWEHEAD COTTAGE?
MORE TOILETS? EXTENDED CAR PARK?

Addressing Pollokshaws Community Council recently, Cllr Colin Deans stated that the City Council will start to build new toilets at Knowehead Cottage and to extend the Burrell car park next month in preparation for GoApe.

The campaign today issued the following press release:

"When plans for the GoApe development were approved, the Council assured us that existing toilet and car park provision was adequate. Planning consent was given on that basis. This was despite evidence presented by the Campaign to the contrary. We were assured that no further expenditure was necessary who is going to pay for this new work? Was the Scottish Govt misled when they reviewed the application?"

"We're disappointed that the Council plans to go ahead without further consultation. We've asked them for eight months if legal issues surrounding the GoApe plans had been resolved but they have declined to confirm or deny. As far as we know, no fresh planning application has been submitted for these works"
We await the Council's reply...

FRIENDS OF POLLOK PARK

We're pleased to announce that the 28th October meeting for SavePollokPark will be followed by the launch of a new organisation – Friends of Pollok Park. This is a completely separate body from SavePollokPark and uninvolved in campaigning against GoApe.

However the campaign supports the principle of a Friends group and we're happy to give them a platform to launch the organisation. Come along and lend your support.

ORNITHOLOGY NEWS

A rare Nuthatch has been spotted in Pollok Park. Our ornithology expert tells us:

'Nuthatch is a very scarce breeding bird in Scotland, although common enough in England. Over the past decade it has greatly expanded its range northwards, thanks to climate change. It breeds in holes in trees.'

Please let us have news of any sitings at northwoodaction AT gmail.com

POSTERS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD – SPREAD THE WORD!

The campaign today started to distribute posters and handbills advertising next Tuesday's public meeting at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall. We need these to be widely seen in all areas surrounding the park, so if you please try to persuade a shop to put one up or display one on your window. We hope to have a copy available for download from the website soon, but meanwhile you can download from this newsletter. Encourage as many people as possible to come along and have their say.

MEANWHILE BACK IN THE APE HOUSE

• Tristram Mayhew is a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008.
• GoApe reins back expansion plans for 2009

(dare we hope...?)