Former police office could become shops

Architects lodge plans for two-storey development

Plans to demolish a former Paisley police office and replace it with shops are set to be considered by Renfrewshire Council.

The old police kiosk in Amochrie Road has fallen into disrepair and was snapped up by new owners in 2007.

Now they hope to breathe new life into the Foxbar site with a new two storey shop unit.

Jewitt and Wilkie Architects submitted an application this week as they look to convince planners to give the go-ahead to start work.

The boarded- up building was originally a Strathclyde Police kiosk before it was deemed surplus to requirements.

The new owners originally lodged plans in 2007 to turn the site into a food and drink outlet but Renfrewshire Council rejected it over fears it could attract children from nearby schools.

A statement from the architects notes said: “It is not believed that the awarding of a Class 1 (shop) consent would undermine the trade of the nearby commercial units, deliberately attract pupils from the nearby school, impact upon the amenity, or value of the residential area, cause traffic obstruction to the church, generate anti- social behaviour, or cause litter to be deliberately dropped by

users. In terms of the visual improvement to the area the new facility would remove a potentially dangerous eyesore to the street frontage.

“The proposals would offer a local business an opportunity for diversification, expansion and generation of employment to deliver a required service to the local population.”

Plans for the new shop unit would include a larger, two storey modern shop unit, which would keep features of the old police office.

The applications adds: “A mono-pitch roof is proposed to reflect the style of the previous former kiosk.

“Overall a “simple box” of a building is proposed which should not require to compete architecturally with the surrounding streetscape.”

A decision is expected within three months following a public consultation.