Green flag plan doesn't fly

Published on Thursday 23 July 2009 11:10

CITY leaders have failed in a bid to have the Meadows named among the UK's top parks as concerns grow about the way it is used.

The city council applied for the Meadows to get "Green Flag" status, but it failed to make a list of more than 1,000 green spaces in the UK that were awarded the flag, which recognises the country's high-quality green spaces.

The decision comes less than a week after city licensing leaders controversially approved plans to hold the two-week Evans Funfair on the Meadows.

Protesters say large events, such as the Moscow State Circus and Lady Boys of Bangkok, are ruining the park's grass and facilities.

In feedback to the council, judges said that the management plan, which was part of the council's application, "does not meet the expectations of a Green Flag applicant site".

Councillor Ian Perry, who represents the Meadows/Morningside ward, said: "It is disappointing that the Meadows has not been given Green Flag status.

"Clearly, there is controversy around the use of the Meadows and a lack of event management planning has not helped in this process. It is absolutely crucial that an events management strategy is agreed and implemented."

Local Green councillor Alison Johnstone said: "Some of the events on the Meadows are inappropriate if you want to preserve the Meadows in optimum condition.

"They are clearly not in optimum condition, through no fault of the city's park keepers. We are asking the grass to support caravan parks and marquees for several weeks a year and that is simply not possible."

Despite refusing the application, judges did have some praise for the Meadows, describing it as "a great green space that serves the community well" and "generally well-maintained, clean and tidy".

Cllr Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "In their report, the Green Flag judges described the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links as being a welcoming and well-maintained green space, well used by the community it serves.

"The submission document, which addressed each of the Green Flag criteria in turn, did not, however, meet their expectations – something we intend to put right ahead of next year's bid."

Despite the failure of Edinburgh's biggest parks to achieve green flag status, several of the city's other green spaces did.

Easter Craiglockhart Hill and Hopetoun Crescent Garden were new entrants on the list, while Braidburn Valley Park, Harrison Park and the Pentland Hills Regional Park retained their status.

It means half of the sites with Green Flag status in Scotland are in Edinburgh.

The Corstorphine Walled Garden was also awarded a Green Pennant, which is given to parks maintained by community groups.

Cllr Aldridge said: "Of course, we would like to build on this success, adding to our tally year on year, and our parks team continues to work hard with local 'Friends' groups and local communities to ensure that our parks and green spaces are of the highest standard."