A campaign to save North Kelvin Meadow for use by the community is celebrating after winning its battle with developers.
Scottish ministers have backed a Reporter's decision that a housing application for 90 homes should not be permitted.
The ruling marks the culmination of a long-running fight to preserve the open space, which for many years has been used by local people for recreation and social gatherings.
Campaigners will now seek permission to establish the meadow on a permanent footing, however Glasgow City Council has hinted that it may challenge the decision in the courts.
Watch: Campaigners toast their victory at the meadow on the day they hear news the space is saved.
In recent years, the space off Clouston Street has been used increasingly by schools and playgroups to explore nature in the city.
A recent planning inquiry heard that it was a vital area for children and families from poorer backgrounds who do not have the space to play at home.
Campaigner Emily Cutts, chair of Children’s Wood based in the meadow, said: "This is brilliant news.
"I think the result shows that fatalism need not prevail and that communities can make a diifference.
"I hope that our success today will show other communities that they can succeed too.
"It’s great that the government recognise that this is not nimbyism and that we have created valuable and sustainable activities like our work with 20 schools, our outdoor clubs, community events and other growing projects which tackle some of the most urgnet 21st century needs.
"Our community have put so much energy into this project, and over so many years, we really think that the motto People Make Glasgow sums up this milestone event and we hope that Glasgow City Council will collaborate with us in the future."
Engagement: Campaigners say the meadow and wood have fostered a vibrant community.
Campaigners against the plans submitted by New City Vision said the proposals would have limited local people’s access to open space.
But developers New City Vision said they were just seeking to use the land for housing as intended in the city's planning blueprint.
It claimed the quality of its design had gained widespread approval.
The council had approved the application for development in January this year by a vote of eight to six.
But campaigners appealed and the matter went to a planning inquiry before a reporter who heard submissions from both sites in the Autumn.
Now Scottish ministers have backed up the findings and delivered a victory for the green space campaigners.
According to campaigners, the decision draws a line under a long running battle to save the area from a housing development.
The Scottish Government report states that the main reasons for rejecting the plans for housing were 'loss of open space with inappropriate mitigation for schools and the community, and secondly loss of biodiversity.
Local people believe the result will set a precedent for other areas and could help to change the policy around land and community empowerment.
The Children’s Wood group which uses the site now plans to keep on working with the community to secure its future.
The Children’s Wood project was granted full planning permission for a community park and garden earlier this year and they will be approaching the council about leasing or buying the land so that this situation never arises again for this community.
Watch: Earlier this summer Emily Cutts explained the importance of the meadow to local people.
Tam Dean Burn, actor, said: "The people of Glasgow have been working on this for so long.
"It's great that the Scottish Government are listening to them."
Katherine Jones, RSPB communications, said: "This news is a fabulous Christmas present for all the children who have found fun, inspiration and a special connection with nature at the Childrne’s Wood.
"We are delighted that there will, at last, be security for the future of this wonderful project and the special place that they have nurtured in our city.
"The Children’s Wood are an inspiration for other communities and we look forward to continuing to work with them and seeing the next generation of conservationists emerge.”
Actress Kate Dickie, star of Game of Thrones, has been a supporter of the meadow.
She said: "I’ve just heard the wonderful news that the Children’s Wood and Meadow has been saved.
"Bravo to our community for all of their tireless campaigning.It’s the best Christmas Present for the kids ever”
Tam Dean Burn, actor:"The people of Glasgow have been working on this for so long.
"It's great that the Scottish Government are listening to them."
Michael Dale, director at the West End Festival, said: "Glasgow's West End Festival has already held number of exciting events at The Children's Wood and North Kelvin Meadow.
"We are delighted that this wonderful local venue has been secured and look forward to many more imaginative collaborations with the Children's Wood.
"There are a real shortage of venues in the west-end and The Children's Wood and meadow plays a vital role in providing a creative and imaginative space.
A council spokesman said: “We are deeply disappointed by this decision.
“This is a direct contradiction of planning guidelines and prohibits our ability to build homes in an area where there is significant demand for housing.
“At a time when the Scottish Government is imposing significant cuts on Glasgow, this decision deprives the Council of a multi-million pound capital receipt, which would have been used to deliver crucial facilities across the city.
"Put simply, this intrusion into local government is the financial equivalent of depriving a Glasgow community of a new school.
“We will be seeking legal opinion on the merits of this decision and how best to proceed.”
