Nicola Sturgeon is squaring up to Scotland's largest local authority, by demanding it put on hold a bid to build an aerial assault course in a historic public park.

Nicola Sturgeon is squaring up to Scotland's largest local authority, by demanding it put on hold a bid to build an aerial assault course in a historic public park.

The Govan MSP says Glasgow City Council has "failed" to properly notify residents of an application to create a treetop adventure course in Pollok Park.

And, at a public meeting held on Tuesday, Ms Sturgeon challenged the council to re-run the consultation, which she described as "woefully inadequate".

The proposal by Go Ape has provoked massive opposition from park-goers, more than 500 of whom attended the meeting.

The fact she is now repeating her challenge will increase speculation that ministers could ultimately overrule the council if it grants permission.

In a letter to The Herald today, Ms Sturgeon says: "The fact is that this consultation failed and, instead of pressing full steam ahead to a planning decision, the council should allow it to be re-run.

"It is simply not credible to argue that people knew what was going on but chose to ignore it.

"I hope that the council and Go Ape will now agree to take a step back and allow for a proper consultation with the real owners of Pollok Park - the people of Glasgow."

But, despite her appeal, the council responded yesterday by insisting it is "not in a position" to halt the planning application and has no plans to re-run its consultation.

A council spokesman said: "A third party has made a planning application and, as a result, the statutory planning process is now under way. Glasgow City Council's role in the process is as the local planning authority and it is not in a position to stop, alter or frustrate the application. "

Go Ape chief executive Tristram Mayhew told The Herald earlier this week he was satisfied the public consultation had been adequately handled.

If councillors approve the application, The Herald understands it will be referred automatically to Scottish ministers.

But campaigners are speculating that ministers may have grounds to "call in" the application before it reaches the council's planning committee, due to the objection of the National Trust for Scotland.

The trust has warned the council that the North Wood is subject to a conservation agreement which requires the trust's permission for new buildings or the felling of trees.

However, Robert Booth, director of Land Services, told the public meeting the council's "legal opinion" is that the trust has "no veto".

Any decision to call in the application would be taken not by Nicola Sturgeon but by John Swinney.

Bill Fraser, of campaigners Save Pollok Park, and Pollokshields Community Council, said: "We absolutely support Nicola Sturgeon's efforts to get Glasgow City Council to reopen the consultation.

"The public meeting showed the vast majority of park-goers believe the consultation was flawed."