Action Group Steps Up Park Fight

Campaigners leading a protest against plans to sell off playing fields to a developer will hold a public meeting tonight.Members of Paisely-based action group, Friends of Seedhill Park, are outraged at Renfrewshire Council agreeing to sell off part of a park for housing and a carpark. More than 60 people objected to the proposals and petition carrying 200 signatures was submitted. Money from the land sale will be used to fund the revamp of Seedhill pavilion. If planning permission is granted, 79 two bedroom flats and a 160-space car park will be built on the land. But locals are angry at the loss of a large chunk of the playing fields, measuring 0.68 hectares. Tonight a public meeting chaired by campaigner George Elliot, will be held in St John Ogilivie school, Lacy Street, Paisely, at 7pm. Mr Elliot, who lives near the playing fields, said: "We are trying to come across as the voice of reason - it's not political.
"We'll be asking what people think. if the majority in the hall want it to go ahead, we'll sit down, but if they don't want it, we'll launch a campaign to make the council change its decision.
"we don't have a problem with upgrading the pavilion, but we're against building a car park and housing on a section of the park."