East Renfrewshire MP, Paul Masterton and Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw have blasted the decision taken by SNP-Labour run East Renfrewshire Council to give Shawwood Park as their preference for the new location for Eastwood Leisure Centre.
News emerged on Friday night (26th October) that a decision had been taken to green light a move to Shawwood after various other location in the constituency had been dismissed.
The news angered residents and politicians who had both started campaigns to keep any new centre away from the “limited green spaces East Renfrewshire has left”.
East Renfrewshire MP and Eastwood’s MSP had previously written to residents within the immediate vicinity last year and found that over 95% the community were against any proposal to build on the park.
The Conservative politicians are not against a re-build of Eastwood Leisure Centre on its current site at Eastwood Park but stand firmly opposed to any movement to green space out with this location.
The petition against building on Shawwood can be found here: https://www.paulmasterton.org.uk/campaigns/saving-broomburn-and-shawwood-parks
Both politicians are also sending a survey to over three thousand residents in the immediate vicinity, in order to fully understand the views of the community. This is something which East Renfrewshire Council have singularly failed to do.
Paul Masterton, MP for East Renfrewshire commented:
“The decision reached by the SNP-Labour administration on the future of Eastwood Leisure Centre is based on a consultation which doesn’t appear to be worth the paper it is written on. We will continue to stand up for residents as we fight this flimsy, short sighted decision.”
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw MSP added:
“It seems as if the Council had this plan all along, and railroaded the wishes of local residents with a sham consultation. Paul Masterton MP and I stand against the proposal in the strongest possible terms and would encourage residents who haven’t already to sign up to our petition.”
The politicians are encouraging the public to contact their local SNP administration Councillor to make their voices heard. You can do this by emailing [email protected]