DELIGHTED campaigners have won their appeal to remove a clause allowing the council to take back part of the Children’s Wood and North Kelvin Meadow.

Uncertainty has hung over the popular green space in the city’s West End for many years as residents fought to stop the land being developed.

Last year, the Children’s Wood charity, which runs the site, applied for a community asset transfer and was awarded a 25-year lease.

But a condition, included by Glasgow City Council, meant some of the land could be reclaimed if the local authority needed to build a nursery.

The charity’s representatives appealed the decision, in a bid to secure complete community control, and councillors have now ruled the clause should be removed.

Professor Niamh Stack, chair of the Children’s Wood, said: “In a time when everything is at sea, community anchors like that which the Children’s Wood provides are ever more essential.

“This decision is a true articulation of the intent of the Community Empowerment Act.

“The Children’s Wood is so much more than just a physical space: it is a hub of community actions that can now be determined by, and for, that community.”

She had told councillors that communities cannot be empowered by “tying their hands”.

Teachers, climate campaigners, play specialists and residents all spoke in favour of removing the clause at a hearing on Monday.

Emily Cutts, director of the Children’s Wood, said: “We are lucky to have the Community Empowerment Bill in Scotland and we couldn’t have achieved this result without it.

“Nor without the willingness of Glasgow City Council to back our community by supporting the transfer.

“I hope our historic agreement with the council inspires others to create and support outdoor community spaces for all to use, particularly with children in mind.

“When children are at the heart of a project it brings everyone together.”

At the hearing, a council officer said they wanted to include the clause so the land could be repurposed “if the need arose”.

He said a portion of ground could be used for an early learning facility to help meet the Scottish Government’s target of 1140 hours free childcare for all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds.

However, the council did not “predict a need” in the next three years. “It is a bit of a moving target for us,” he added. “The demand might never manifest itself, but then again it may manifest itself.”

Ms Cutts said: “We’ve got a very strong sense of what more can we do to show the council this community wants to be empowered.

“For the last 25 years, our community has fought to prevent building on the land and invented creative ways to use this valuable community resource.”

She said over 20 local schools use the land and a range of activities are provided, including education services and mental health provision, prescribed by GPs in the area.

Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO of Play Scotland, which campaigns for the importance of quality free play, said: “This is a ‘pot of gold at the end of the rainbow’ moment for everyone in the community who uses and supports the Children’s Wood.

“If this group had not succeeded in this positive climate of land reform, and place-based sustainable development, then I am not sure who could.”

And actor and local resident, Tam Dean Burn, said: “It’s inspiring that the council has recognised and endorsed the true value of this wonderful green space with this decision.

“I’m hugely excited at how the community self-empowerment that got us here can now further develop as a shining example to other areas of Glasgow and beyond in desperate need of such grassroots sanctuaries.”

At the meeting, Jacqueline Boyce, a youth worker at the G20 Youth Festival, emphasised how important the land is to young people.

“Many of our kids live in poverty, have parents with addiction issues or in prison,” she said.

“Some of them will come along while experiencing a really stressful day and ask to go to the land, just to chill out or water the plants, and sit in fresh air in their own space.”