PLANS to develop a 100-year-old traditional sports club face almost 100 official objections, including MSPs, prominent councillors and the national body for tennis.

 

Partickhill Bowling and Tennis Club in Glasgow's west end claims it faces the prospect of closure without the cash injection flowing from transforming part of its land to townhouses.

If the development on the site of its dilapidated tennis courts is given the go-ahead, officials have pledged they will reinvest money from the land sale in its club house, transforming it into a 'village hall'.

But the proposals, designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects and built by property development firm Noah and which go before city planners for approval tomorrow, have sparked a wave of opposition in the west end and beyond.

Tennis Scotland, the sport's governing body, has claimed the plans breach several national policies, while conservation group Friends of Glasgow West have objected to the loss of green space and impact on the area.

Local MSP Sandra White had also lodged her concerns, along with councillors Aileen Colleran and Kenny McLean.

A petition signed by 84 children in the local Hyndland Primary School was rejected however as it was not correctly formatted, with only the teacher's objection accepted.

To offset concerns, the developers have been asked to pay compensation of £120,000 for the use of the three derelict blaes courts.

After a number of local residents raised concerns regarding the potential for club members to receive large sums of money from the sale of the land the plans include a legal agreement to ensure any cash generated from the sale of the site goes towards the ongoing maintenance and management of the bowling club and its facilities.

Partickhill, which is said to have around 40 members, has found itself a situation which many clubs face as they deal with falling numbers and competition from more modern rivals.

The bowling club's decision comes after years of years of dwindling membership, facilities falling into severe disrepair and aborted plans by tennis clubs in the area to take over and rejuvenate the courts.

Although it has served the local community in excess of 100 years, it now survives only through membership fees, profits of functions and volunteer assistance, allow for no significant investment.

The courts have remained unused since 1997, with tennis provision was abandoned, while in 2010 the changing pavilion was destroyed in a deliberate attack.

Club officials point to other successful projects where traditional sports clubs in the west end and south side of Glasgow have sold parts of their ground for residential development.

Examples include Hughenden Rugby Club in nearby Hyndland and Woodend Bowling and Tennis Club in Jordanhill.

Ian Watson, chairman of the Partickhill Green Space Association, said the local community was outraged over the plan.

He said: "This is a short sighted view. Without a sound financial base (which could be provided by reviving tennis) the club will run out of money quite soon, making the remainder of the site vulnerable and likely to be sold for development. This deal may secure the club's future for the next five years or so until there are no active bowlers left. A property developer will then offer the few remaining members a fantastic deal to buy the remaining land.

"Glasgow needs to retain open space and sports facilities for the sake of city's future health and wellbeing."

However, the city council has recommended the plans are approved.

It said: "The proposal is considered to comply with the relevant policies and where the proposals have departed from policy it is considered that sufficient circumstances are demonstrated to support such a departure.

"Other material considerations are considered to have been satisfactorily addressed.

"In the light of all of the foregoing, it is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions."