The final decision has been handed back to Glasgow city council — the body that originally granted the scheme's planning application in March.

However, since then it has faced wave after wave of fierce opposition against the adventure centre coming to the park's North Wood.

Yesterday's news was a blow to campaigners who were only told on Tuesday that the date for a ministerial decision had been put off yet again, this time from September 7 until September 30.

Spokesman for campaigners Save Pollok Park from Go Ape, Bill Fraser told The Extra: "It has come as a big surprise to us that the Scottish ministers are unable to call-in the proposal for Go Ape. It was completely unexpected.

"We were only told yesterday that they had extended the deadline again.
"However, we are extremely disappointed with their decision and are now seriously considering a legal challenge against the city council.

"We believe we have a case as we don't think councillors have the legal right to grant a lease in Pollok Park under the conservation agreement they have in place."

That conservation agreement is believed to require both GCC and the National Trust for Scotland agreeing to the proposals. However, at the present time NTS is against Go Ape coming to Pollok.

Another of the campaigners, Bob Marshall told The Extra: "The best way forward now is surely for the council to take a step back and find an alternative site — remember we're against the siting in North Wood, not Go Ape itself.

"If it is steamrollered into Pollok Park there'll just be more opposition and what could become a long, drawn-out legal wrangle."

The matter was moved to Scottish ministers because Glasgow city council stands to profit from the deal.

However, a government spokesman said: "Having considered this matter, it is not ministers' intention to intervene in this application.

"The council has been authorised to deal with the application in the manner it thinks fit."

The council had not issued a response to the decision as The Extra went to press.

The applicant and other interested parties, including objectors will now be informed of the decision in writing.

Protestors remain opposed to the bid and may mount a legal challenge.