Thornly Park Village bid ‘must be voted on by all councillors’
The most controversial housing proposal Paisley has ever seen must be decided by a full meeting of Renfrewshire council, a local councillor has demanded.
Councillor Eileen McCartin MBE says the plan to build 605 houses within the grounds of Dykebar Hospital is too serious to be considered by the planning committee alone.
The representative for Paisley South West has written to the local authority’s chief executive Sandra Black and the head of planning to demand the proposal be heard by all councillors, particularly those in Paisley.
Ms McCartin told the Express: “This is the most controversial housing development Paisley has ever seen.
“The Save Paisley’s Green Space opposition group has done a fantastic piece of work and completed a very detailed examination of the development that has been put forward and it is only right that it is heard by all councillors.”
Bellway Homes, Cala Homes and Barratt Homes are seeking permission to build Thornly Park Village, featuring a range of homes from one-bedroom flats to five-bed detached houses, on the 95-acre site off Grahamston Road, Paisley.
The £150million development between the consortium will, if approved, be built within the grounds of the current mental health hospital surrounding a central meadow.
A petition opposing the development has been signed by more than 1000 people.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ms McCartin, right, added: “It is essential that this application is decided on all the issues which are important to people in Paisley.
“The economic benefit is only one issue which needs to be considered.
“Both the health board and developers want to maximise the cash benefits of this proposal, but I hope the council can see far further than this one narrow issue, and any decisions made need to be done by the whole council.”
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said that legal policy meant the planning application would need to be considered by the communities, housing and planning policy board.
He said: “The Approved Renfrewshire Council Scheme of Delegation in relation to the determination of planning applications requires that this application must be presented to the communities, housing and planning policy board.
“This board is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic so the application will be presented at the next available opportunity and will include any representations made regarding the proposed development.”
A spokesperson for the house builders said: “Our proposals at Dykebar are in line with the council’s local development plan and so we would expect normal process to be followed and the application considered by the planning committee.”
Representations or comments on the application can be submitted by email to dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk
It is essential that this application is decided on all the issues which are important to people