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Fight is on to save Busby Primary School playing fields
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TOPIC: Fight is on to save Busby Primary School playing fields

Fight is on to save Busby Primary School playing fields 5 years, 4 months ago #1

  • RM64
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Published Eastwood Extra On Line.

By Dawn Renton Published: 08:06 Thursday 22 November 2018

Plans to build on the last of Busby Primary School’s playing fields have been met with fierce opposition.

Busby Primary School parents, locals and the ‘Save Busby Primary Playing Fields’ group have taken on East Renfrewshire Council as they fight plans to build a 120-place nursery on the last of the school’s playing fields and green space.

Earlier this year the council’s Phase 1 nursery development ripped up more than half of Busby Primary School playing fields and green space to install a 25-space car park and a temporary nursery in a portable building.

The ‘Save Busby Primary Playing Fields’ group strongly oppose East Renfrewshire Council’s Phase 2 plans which will mean that Busby Primary will lose almost all of its playing fields and green space for around 300 school children.

Busby Primary School playing fields have always been an asset to the school – from outdoor learning in all weathers, to the nature garden, schools sports days, Parent Council summer fayres, school values days, football pitches and free play for the school children during breaks and lunchtimes.

One father said: “Not so long ago the playing fields used to host a football pitch used for local school football and running competitions.

“It would be extremely sad to see this area be developed on further, reducing the little remaining green space available for the current and future pupils of the school to play on.”

One of the local parents objecting is the MSP, Ken Macintosh, whose six children have all attended Busby Nursery and Busby Primary.

He said: “All of us as parents applaud the desire to create more nursery places, but the school has already lost much of the green area around it as it has expanded over the years.

“The last of the green space playing fields at Busby Primary is not the location to build on.

If we are not careful, then we’ll have turned our school into the proverbial concrete jungle.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The council is required to significantly increase the number of nursery places available across the area by August 2020 to meet the Scottish Government’s commitment to providing more than double the amount of free early years childcare for all.

“One community which requires a much larger facility than is presently available is in Busby, and by creating a bespoke 120-place nursery in the grounds of the school it will provide a fantastic setting for children’s learning.

“We have engaged with parents as part of the process and as the plan progresses will ensure that this dialogue continues.”

• To view, comment or object to the plans for the new nursery school at Busby Primary, click here

ercbuildingstandards.eastrenfrewshire.go...5p8-ADKE3-djtO8SBOHc

• You can also comment by emailing

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or by writing to: Head of Environment, East Renfrewshire Council, 2 Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank, G46 8NG.

• Anyone interested in supporting the Save Busby Primary Playing Fields’ Group, can visit their Facebook page

Re: Fight is on to save Busby Primary School playing fields 5 years, 4 months ago #2

  • RM64
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Published The Herald 26/11/2018

By Victoria Weldon Reporter

'Playground politics' as Presiding Officer fights for school greenspace

The Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer is is bringing a new meaning to the phrase ‘playground politics’ in his bid to ensure children at his local school have access to outdoor space.

Ken Macintosh is heading up a campaign to save endangered playing fields at Busby Primary School in East Renfrewshire, where his six children attended nursery.

The local council plans to build a new nursery centre and car park on the school’s last remaining fields, but the politician is urging councillors to rethink the controversial move.

It comes as research suggests many children are being denied the chance of participating in outdoor activities as pressurised parents struggle to find the time.

Outdoor play has been shown to enhance children’s learning, confidence and resilience - and Mr Macintosh believes building on greenspace risks depriving them of this important part of childhood.

“It is no accident that schools are built with green spaces and playing areas around them, we know how important that is for our kids and their education,” he said.

“The school has already lost much of the open area around it as it has expanded over the years. We need to be careful we do not incrementally turn our school and our existing nursery into the proverbial concrete jungle.

“I think all of us as parents applaud the desire to create more nursery places, but not at the expense of building over the very space those same children need to grow up in.”

The West Scotland MSP added that one of his daughters and her Primary 4 classmates had written to loggers in the Amazonian rainforest, asking them to “think again” about what they are doing.

He said: “Wouldn’t it be ironic if our own local authority granted planning permission to build over their own green space.”

Research released today by the Woodland Trust shows that children are less likely to experience the traditional outdoor activities their parents and grandparents enjoyed, with one in five parents admitting they have never flown a kite, built a treehouse, collected leaves or played pooh sticks with their kids.

Nearly two thirds of the parents polled (64%) said they simply struggle to find the time, or were too busy with work to spend as much time as they would like outdoors with their children.

Almost a third (32%) also said their children preferred to watch TV or play computer games.

Richard Cooper, a project manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “It’s shocking to think quintessential childhood experiences like playing conkers and den-building are passing by children in the UK.

“Our native woods are some of the world’s biggest playgrounds - perfect for adventures.

“The Woodland Trust wants to inspire the next generation, with over 1200 woods across the country that are free to explore.”

The survey, commissioned in partnership with clothing brand Joules, questioned 1200 parents and found that almost half of them believe technology and screen time are impacting on connection with nature.

More than a third (39%) also blamed gaming fads such as Fortnite for kids being stuck indoors.

Claire Tait, head of marketing at Joules, said “Whether it’s going on woodland walks, building a den or playing nostalgic games like pooh sticks, every season offers new opportunities to connect with nature and appreciate our woodlands.”

She added that Joules and the Woodland Trust had created a Let’s Explore activity pack aimed at encouraging families “to put on their coats and wellies, get outside and explore the great outdoors, whatever the weather”.

Many schools and nurseries across Scotland are now recognising the value of outdoor learning and play.

The Scottish Government has also recognised its worth and earlier this year invested more than £800,000 in encouraging more outdoor learning in early years.

Given that the move to build on greenspace at Busby Primary has attracted more than 140 objections, it seems that parents realise the value of outdoor play too.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “We have engaged with parents as part of the process and as the plan progresses will ensure that this dialogue continues. If the plans are approved, the facility will enhance the outdoor space available for the children attending the nursery, as due to the ground conditions on this piece of land it is currently used extremely infrequently by the school or nursery.

“We are absolutely committed to making the area one the most desirable in Scotland for people to live in, work in and visit.

“A key part of this is providing quality green spaces for residents to enjoy and we will continue to deliver in this area.

Re: Fight is on to save Busby Primary School playing fields 5 years, 3 months ago #3

  • RM64
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Published Eastwood Extra On Line -

By Dawn Renton Published: 11:00 Friday 30 November 2018

Parents angered by council plans to build on Busby School playing fields

The official body representing parents at Busby Primary School has come out strongly against plans to build on the last of the school’s playing fields and greenspace by East Renfrewshire Council.

An online survey conducted by Busby Primary Parent Council revealed that 93 per cent of parents surveyed object to plans to build a new 120-place nursery on the last remaining greenspace.

In their objection letter to East Renfrewshire Council, Busby Primary Parent Council not only highlighted concerns about the loss of green space for pupils at Busby Primary School, but also expressed worries about the damage to or loss of the existing nursery playground, which itself was only created a few years ago after heroic fundraising efforts by Busby Primary School parents.

Busby Primary School Parent Council has also raised concerns about the limited window of opportunity for parents to consider and comment on this proposal.

In addition to the formal objection on behalf of Busby Primary Parent Council, it is understood that more than 140 objections have already been submitted individually by Busby Primary School parents and local residents.

To find out more to object or comment on the plans visiting

East Renfrewshire Council;

by emailing

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

or in writing to: Head of Environment, East Renfrewshire Council, 2 Spiersbridge Way, Thornliebank G46 8NG.

For more information on the campaign, visit the group’s Facebook page at

Save Busby Primary Playing Fields
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