Green campaigners have accused university bosses of committing vandalism by ripping up football pitches and claiming the work is for an archaeological dig.
Trenches three-feet deep have been dug and huge mounds of earth displaced at the two sports pitches at Paisley’s Thornly Park.
The pitches - part of the University of the West of Scotland campus - are currently part of a planning application to demolish the pitches, student accommodation and Robertson Sport Centre to make way for 179 houses.The planning application, submitted by UWS in partnership with Miller Homes to Renfrewshire Council, has still to be determined.
A spokeswoman for campaign group Save Paisley’s Green Space, which is fiercely opposed to the planning application, told the Express residents who have been using the area for leisure and exercise during lockdown are
livid.
She said: “I have been inundated today from messages from furious residents complaining about the needless vandalism of the sports pitches at the UWS Thornly Park campus.
“Workers on site have indicated that it is an archaeological dig ... but strangely don’t seem to know what they are looking for.
“Historical OS maps submitted with the UWS application dating back to 1864 show no structures, boundary walls or any activity on this part of the site.
“Therefore, it seems curious for them to be digging up the pitches and conceivably causing irreparable damage.”
She added: “During the pandemic, this area has been vital for youngsters to kick a ball and generally exercise while all other facilities are closed.
“Other residents use it for walking, dog walking, running and jogging.
“We also question how this work is deemed essential under the current pandemic.”
The proposed development, which has been reduced from 230 homes, covers a 28-acre plot and forms part of the Paisley South Expansion Area.
But people living near the Caplethill Road site say the new housing estate would eradicate much-needed green space and demolish these much-used sports pitches.
A university spokeswoman said: “A standard archaeological investigation is being undertaken at Thornly Park by the university’s selected developer in relation to the ongoing planning application.
“This is required by Renfrewshire Council as part of the planning
process.
“The pitches will be reinstated once the work is complete.”
