PLANS for new changing rooms – to be used by a football academy named after Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone – are recommended for approval by council planning officers, despite complaints by Mount Florida residents.

Glasgow councillors will meet on Tuesday to decide whether two shipping containers can be used as changing facilities in Cathkin Park, formerly New Cathkin Park football stadium.

There have been 35 objections to the proposals, with the issues raised including a lack of consultation with the community and the impact on public access to the park.

Planning officers believe the scheme should get the go-ahead, but they recommend conditions are imposed.

READ MORE: Mount Florida residents hit back at Jimmy Johnstone Academy plans

These would include only granting permission until June 30, 2023 and limiting opening hours to 8am to 8pm from Monday to Sunday so they “would not be used at anti-social times”.

“While the applicant requested temporary consent for a period of five years, this is not considered suitably temporary,” a report to the committee states.

“Previous consents have sought to limit the temporary use to three years, which in this instance is deemed an appropriately temporary period that would allow for a more suitable permanent provision of changing facilities.”

The report also states the changing rooms “associated with the existing use of the football pitch” would “have the ability for use by other sports using the park”.

The Jimmy Johnstone Charitable Trust has submitted the application. The changing rooms, and toilets, would be used by the Jimmy Johnstone Academy of Football.

‘Jinky’ Johnstone was a member of Celtic’s famous ‘Lisbon Lions’ European Cup-winning side, which became the first British team to win the competition in 1967.

Glasgow Times:

Concerned residents submitted objections to the plans after the application was launched in March.

They said the park should be available to all and accused the academy of trying to take over the land.

Chris Carus, of Mount Florida Community Council, said: “Shipping containers are unsightly and are not in keeping with visual amenity of the park.

“The case for two additional shipping containers has not been made.

“Doesn't the existing community hall/pavilion provide sufficient changing facilities?”

He added: “There are also concerns in the community about the lack of any form of prior discussion with park users.

“There is considerable concern in the community that the planning application represents a gradual takeover of the park by a private interest.”

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A representative for Glasgow Cyclones Cycle Speedway club, which has used the track since the 1970s, said: “We are very much supportive of changing facilities being built within the park premises, if there is provision made for wider use of the facilities other than just for the sole use of one group.”

The council report states as planning consent relates to the land, and not the applicant, the “proposal is for additional facilities within the park and not for the applicant’s use”.

“As owner, the council would retain control over who would be able to use the facilities,” it adds.

It also states there was no requirement for public consultation as it is a “small scale” extension.

There was one letter in support of the application, which stated: “The whole ethos is to support kids. They are the future; some objections are stuck in the past.”

Residents are in the process of setting up a ‘Friends of Cathkin Park’ community group.

Existing shipping containers on the site do not have planning permission and an enforcement complaint has been made. It will be investigated and “any appropriate action” will be taken.