Coal merchants may close if houses bid gets the go-ahead
LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
The boss of a coal merchants has conceded they could close if plans to build homes on the land they lease are given the green light.
L& S Homes is waiting to hear the outcome of a planning application it submitted to build 39 homes next to Station Road in Bridge of Weir.
However, a corner of the site is currently occupied by Beaton Bros Coal Merchants, who lease it from owner Sustrans on a month-tomonth basis.
Ian Beaton, manager of the operation, said: “The council will decide whether to give planning permission for the houses and if they do it would see us leave.
“There’s been some form of coal merchants for 100 years and that’s getting put out. It’s terrible.
“You wouldn’t believe how much coal we deliver out here. If we go there’s nobody to provide heating and hot water to the farms and rural areas.
“If you see my coal order book, it’s frightening. The folk that work here would lose their jobs.
“It’s difficult for us to get the ground because coal contaminates it and nobody would let us rent it for that reason.”
The development would border Bridge of Weir Road and Moss Road Park.
The site is also located on the former railway station and sidings.
An L& S Homes report , submitted as part of the planning application, expressed the company’s hope to deliver “high quality” housing.
It says: “The proposal aims to deliver 39 high-quality residential properties with associated gardens and parking spaces, along with public amenity space, within the existing urban context of Bridge of Weir.
“The site offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance the urban fabric of the village.”
If the plans are given the go ahead, it would come as a blow to Councillor James MacLaren, who had hoped to see a men’s shed situated within the coalyard.
He reached an agreement with Mr Beaton, which could have seen a shed put up at the site.
Councillor MacLaren said: “This is a strong commitment from Ian
Beaton and the coal merchants would certainly be a suitable site for a substantial men’s shed.
“They are a fantastic way of bringing men together socially and boosting their confidence.
“I believe that this represents a significant step forward and I will be continuing to liaise closely with stakeholders to ensure that a men’s shed soon becomes a reality.”
Mr Beaton confirmed that, if they were able to continue leasing the site, a men’s shed would be something he would “love to see”.
He added: “The men’s shed would be a community resource. I would be in it myself.
“It’s 100 per cent something I would love to see.
“We are thinking about putting up a building or some sort of temporary building.
“We recently refurbished the playground at Rashielea Primary. We are real community people here. It plays right into our thinking.”
Sustrans and L&S Homes have been contacted for comment.
The first year of Paisley’s HB Film Festival was a sellout success at the weekend.
More than 300 tickets sold over its two-day run at The Wynd Centre.
Independent films were shown and there was live music, comedy, a film, quiz and a glittering awards ceremony.
Guest Alasdair Marshall said:“I highly recommend The HB Film Festival. A delight from start to finish with amazing and carefully selected film screenings. This was only the first year and it was a fantastically run event – I can’t wait for next year.”
Awards were picked up by
The men’s shed would be a community resource. I would be in it myself
filmmakers from far and wide, with several awarded to Scottish filmmakers including Best Comedy awarded to Crackpot and Best Female Lead picked up by Sarah Grant for her performance in comedy short film Scare.
Organised by former Paisley Grammar pupil and filmmaker Gary Hewitt, the festival’s aims are to bring independent films to the community, and showcase the talent of both local and international filmmakers.
He said:“After a fantastic weekend, we are delighted with the outcome of the inaugural HB Film Festival - our selection of quality independent films went down a storm with all who attended. We welcomed guests from the local area, across the UK, and even as far as the USA!
“We are absolutely thrilled with the response and look forward to bringing you and even bigger and better festival next year!”
If you’re a budding filmmaker, submission for next year’s festival will open in the next few weeks.
Visit filmfreeway.com to find out how your film could be shown at next year’s HB Film Festival.
HB stands for Hewitt Bryce, a name which honours both sets of Gary’s grandparents.