Most people do not know that an area of 31 acres or 10% of the total area of Pollok Park, known as Nether Pollok, do not belong to Glasgow Council but are leased from a private owner (Pollok and Corrour Ltd).

 

Nether Pollok is to the east of the Burrell Museum towards Haggs Road – see red bounded area below

 

 

Nether Pollok was originally gifted by the Maxwell family in 1966 specifically “for the benefit of the people of Glasgow”.

Part of it was used for football until about 20 years ago. There is a changing room which has not been maintained by the Council, and a small car park.

 

Now it is popular for informal recreation – cricket, football, rounders, picnics and walking.

Since the closure of Poloc Cricket Club Nether Pollok has the only informal cricket pitch around, used mainly by the local Asian community.

WHY WE ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING NETHER POLLOK

 

 

Soon after the land was gifted Glasgow Corporation in 1967 leased it back to the Maxwell family who set up Pollok and Corrour Ltd to manage it and other areas. They paid a rent to Glasgow Council

 

In 2012 under a new piece of legislation (Long Lease Scotland Act, 2012) large areas around the park were bought out by the Maxwell family (blue on the map) The Council did not object. Since then,Glasgow Council, in order to keep Nether Pollok in public use, has had to lease it back at a cost of £25k a year (blue Shaded Area),

This second Lease is due to end by 2030. But rather than starting to negotiate how the land can continue being part of Pollok Park Council officers have said in writing that they are minded to give it up- even though it only costs £25k per year.

The owner (Maxwell family) has been in discussion with a private developer to convert the land into a private sports ground with with a fence all round and no acces for the public. Even if that does not go ahead another developer could take over.

So, due to an oversight, blunder or deliberate neglect we are in danger of losing a large area of public recreation space which has been used freely by Southsiders for the last 60 years

Let us summarise this, because you could not make it up

  • The land is gifted free for use by the people of Glasgow
  • The Council then leases it back to the family who gifted it in the first place
  • Then the family buy it using Scottish Government legislation
  • Glasgow Council then takes out a new Lease and has to pay to use the land they owned in the first place
  • Now because they don’t want to pay, the Council is going to give it back
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