Councillors vote on Wallneuk proposal next week
A Paisley town centre retail park is a step closer to being built after planners backed the project.
SC Renfrew Road Ltd wants to build the £10million development on the site of a former bowling alley at Wallneuk Road.
Bosses say the centre would help create 140 jobs, with national chains, including Lidl, Home Bargains and Tim Hortons coffee linked with a move to the site.
Fraser Carlin, Renfrewshire Council’s head of planning and housing, recommended the scheme is given the go-ahead in a report due before members before a vote on permission next week.
He said: “The application site was purchased from Tesco Stores Limited following their decision not to develop the site.
“In the detailed assessment of that proposal, the appropriateness of the site for retail use was established and potential impacts on Paisley town centre were key considerations in the determination of the application.
“Through the granting of the previous consent, the site has been accepted as an appropriate location for retail development at an edge of centre location to provide new retail floorspace in the north of Paisley.
“It has also been previously accepted that development of the site would assist in the regeneration of an important approach into Paisley town centre.”
Councillors will meet tomorrow to make a final decision on the planning application.
The proposal includes the opening of a new supermarket, with two more retail units and a drive-thru restaurant.
A total of 400 parking spaces would be provided.
Owners of The Paisley Centre and Piazza Shopping Centre say existing companies will face a challenge to stay open.
Their calls have been backed by Paisley First, which represents more than 600 firms in its business improvement district.
Traders say custom will be poached away from the struggling High Street and cost them £25million each year.
Planners received four objections over the development, including worries over traffic increases on already congested roads nearby.
Fears were also raised for the future of nearby, with calls for empty gap sites on the High Street to be plugged instead.
Mr Carlin balanced the concerns, but insists there is no reason why all businesses cannot flourish.
He added: “It has been concluded that the proposed development can be justified against all relevant policies in the development plan and represents appropriate retail provision in Paisley which would not impact significantly on the town centre and represents an opportunity for environmental improvement at a prominent location.”
Tesco snapped up the land after the XS Superbowl complex was flattened in 2012.
It had promised a new superstore, creating 580 jobs, with an 800-space car park.
It pulled out of the town just a year later after failed investment overseas forced it to downsize across the UK.
Maureen Hill, manager of The Piazza, is among those concerned about the plan.
She maintains more work should be done to attract investment to the traditional shopping precinct.
She said: “Any competing retail on the fringes of Paisley town centre would only delay the regeneration process of the High Street and the town, as attracting and retaining footfall is key to the delivery of regeneration.”