Councillors have agreed to postpone the final decision on the controversial bid to build a treetop adventure course in a public park.

The fate of Go Ape's high-wire assault course hangs in the balance after members of Glasgow City Council's planning committee agreed to a request to make an official visit to the site in the North Wood of Pollok Country Park.

They also agreed to a hearing at which campaign group Save Pollok Park will put its case that "noisy" zip slides and rope swings are unsuitable for a peaceful woodland.

The delay was welcomed not only by campaigners, who protested outside the city chambers yesterday, but also by councillors in favour of the proposal. Both sides are confident that visiting the site will persuade the committee of their case.

Bill Fraser, chair man of Pollokshields Community Council, and a member of Save Pollok Park, said: "This is the best outcome we could have hoped for. The site visit will allow members to see what a lovely, quiet, peaceful place the North Wood is."

There have been 148 submissions in favour of Go Ape's proposal, including from Mohammed Sarwar MP.

However, there have also been 881 objections to the course, including from Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the National Trust for Scotland and representatives of the Maxwell family, the ancestral owners of the park.

Many object to the prohibitive cost - £20-25 per person - while others feel that the traffic will overburden the car park and toilet facilities in the Burrell Collection.

Objectors have also complained that the council failed to properly consult park users and local residents.

A council spokeswoman said: "Our efforts to consult with the public and interested organisations went beyond our statutory requirements.

"The consultation was widely advertised and everyone with an opinion was invited."