Knightswood FC gets green light for Yoker pitch revamp

Knightswood Football Club has secured permission to carry out work at Yokermains/Ashford Park on Speirshall Terrace.

The project is set to include a new 3G pitch, a changing pavilion, a stand, floodlights and 26 car parking spaces.

It comes after councillors agreed to grant a 25-year lease for the site to the football club earlier this year.

In a social media post, the club said it was “delighted to confirm full planning permission has been granted for the Yoker pitch redevelopment”.

“We can now move into the tender process, bringing us a step closer to starting construction,” it added.

“We know what this facility will mean for Knightswood FC and the wider community, and we’re excited to see it take shape.”

Plans stated the redevelopment will include resurfacing the existing pitch, drainage improvements and replacing the current changing facilities.

New goalposts will be installed, as well as fences at both ends to stop the ball leaving the ground.

The application added: “The site is a disused football pitch, previously used for football activities, which has been derelict for several years. 

“It is maintained but requires redevelopment to meet SFA standards and regulations, restoring it for safe and compliant football use.”

The lease for the council-owned pitch was agreed at a rent of £250 per year in February this year under the People Make Glasgow Communities programme.

That scheme gives community and third-sector groups an opportunity to run council-owned facilities.

The pitch had been leased by Glasgow Life, the council’s culture and leisure arm, but it was re-tendered in 2022. 

A report to councillors stated: “In conjunction with the lease being revoked to Glasgow City Council, and the impact of Covid-19, the park has been inactive since 2019.”