A GREEN space in East Renfrewshire has been given protected status after years of campaigning by the community.

Friends of Huntly Park (FoHP) was set up in 2017 in a bid to secure Fields In Trust protection for the Giffnock site.

Now a motion has been passed by East Renfrewshire Council to protect the park from future development.

It comes four years after Advance Construction submitted controversial plans for a £112million housing development at Braidbar Quarry, near Huntly Park.

Those proposals left some local residents fearing new housing would have a “major impact” on the area’s wildlife, which includes badgers and bats.

Kirsty Duncan, of FoHP, has welcomed the added protection for the site.

She told the Barrhead News: “We wanted to make sure that, if there was to ever come a time when there was construction at the quarry, the park would not be part of that housing development.

“We completely welcome this motion. It is an example of our elected officials working together for the benefit of the local community.

“We will continue to pursue the environment department to ensure this motion is enacted and that Huntly Park is protected not just within the Local Development Plan but protected forever.

“Our aims were very much to protect and promote our local green space, so if we get protection for all sections of the park, it means that, post-lockdown, we can go ahead and host lots of lovely events there.”

The work done by FoHP has been commended by Councillor Gordon Wallace and Councillor Colm Merrick, who represent Giffnock and Thornliebank, along with Councillor Annette Ireland, who represents Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood.

Councillor Wallace said: “With 13 months of a pandemic behind us and not yet over, Huntly Park’s importance is beyond measure.”

Councillor Merrick hailed the group as “tireless advocates” for the community’s use of green space.