Glasgow’s planning committee voted 8–2 in favour of Noah Developments’ proposal to redevelop the Carmunnock Road site. The project includes new housing, the retention of the clubhouse, and the creation of publicly accessible open space secured through a legal agreement.

The decision followed a near three-hour hearing in which both Noah and members of the Mount Florida Community Trust – formed in 2019 with the aim of buying the land – presented their cases.

This was the developer’s second attempt to gain approval. A previous application for 40 homes, which attracted more than 600 objections, was rejected in 2020 and later dismissed on appeal by the Scottish Government. The trust’s own vision, featuring sports facilities and community fitness space, was backed by councillors but cannot proceed as Noah owns the land.

As part of the revised plans, Noah will invest around £250,000 in the open space and clubhouse before gifting it to the community. The firm has pledged to maintain the facilities until a “suitable community group” takes over.

Reactions remain divided. Nicola Smith, chair of the community trust, argued that residents were being forced into a “false choice” between losing half the site or seeing it fall into neglect. She urged councillors to protect the land for community use.

Former trust director Allan Munro, however, supported the developer, saying the new plans were “substantially improved” and that the trust had been unwilling to negotiate.

More than 280 objections were lodged to the revised application, and over 120 residents staged a protest at the site earlier this year. Support for the development also emerged, with 130 letters submitted, though opponents claimed many were pre-written by the developer and not from local residents.

Council planners recommended approval, arguing the development would return a derelict brownfield site to active use while providing new recreational space.