We don’t need any more houses here
Fresh row as firm plans extra homes on hospital site
12.05.2017 A wildlife conservation row is set to reignite after a firm applied to increase the number of houses being built on former hospital grounds.
BDW Trading sparked protests from families after it unveiled plans to create 267 homes in Brookfield.
But the company has now submitted proposals to increase this by 17 more buildings at Merchiston Hospital.
A planning application filed with Renfrewshire Council revealed details of the increase.
It stated: “The proposal for area one involves replacing the previously proposed David Wilson Homes ‘Alba’ housetypes with Barratt Homes ‘Caledonia’ housetypes, which has led to an increase in plots.
“The design principles for the site, including character and landscape proposals, have remained the same.
“The road layout has also remained as it was previously.”
BDW Trading wants to build a variety of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses to be created, while the surrounding woodlands would also be used for homes.
Critics have argued wild roe deer, nesting birds, newts and plantlife could be effected when building gets underway.
Brookfield Community Council raised concerns over the numbers of houses planned, impact on the local road network and fears for the impact on sewerage, drainage and schooling.
Councillor Audrey Doig, member for Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, says the existing quota was “more than enough”.
She added: “I feel they’re moving to the wooded area just to squeeze in a few more homes that aren’t needed.
“I’m more concerned about the wildlife as there are a family of roe deer in the wooded area.”
Merchiston Hospital was opened in 1948 after Paisley Burgh Council bought Merchiston House.
Two new wings were added in 1958, and, in 1979, it was redeveloped, with four 30-bedded units built to a modern bungalow design.
But the hospital closed between 2007 and 2008, with all patients transferred to neighbouring centres.