36 flats planned for eyesore pub grounds
Flats could finally be built on the grounds of the former Stanely Firs pub in Paisley.
Link Group has revealed plans for dozens of apartments where the derelict bar stood for years.
Neighbours had told of their frustration as the boarded-up boozer became a hub for underage drinking and vandalism.
The housebuilder revealed their vision for the site in a planning application lodged with Renfrewshire Council.
It stated: “A public consultation took place in March at the Foxbar Community Centre.
“An initial site layout, floor plans and indicative images of projects developed for Link Group by Mast Architects were presented at the exhibition.
“Overall, the feedback from the members of the community that attended the exhibition was generally positive.
“There was support for the derelict site to be developed for housing.
“The proposed development is well served by public transport, shops and local amenities.
“The majority of these are only a few minutes walk from the site.”
Link Group wants to build 36 flats on the plot in Paisley’s Amochrie Road.
A trio of three-storey blocks will house a range of two-bedroom homes.
The Stanely Firs shut without warning in 2007.
Workers met with closed shutters after turning up to start their shift.
It is overlooked by neighbouring houses but has been used for gang battles and drug use and is daubed with spray paint.
Housebuilder Eadie Cairns was previously granted permission to build 48 flats on the grounds of the pub.
But it lay empty since it shut. Proposals to turn it into a retail hub, with a restaurant, shops and bookies were rejected by planners soon after.
Worried residents staged a high-profile campaign against those proposals, with more than 170 objections sent to council chiefs.
The plans were booted out by councillors, despite being backed by the local authority’s planning officials.
Craig Vesey, project development office for Link, earlier insisted there was a long way to go with the work.
He said: “We’re developing plans at the moment.
“It’s likely to be a development for social rent.
“We are working with the council and the government to pull together funding for it.
“And we’ re working with our development partners to bring something forward.
“It’s a very early stage at the moment. “We’ve been looking at this site with a private partner.
“We’re just about to get started, really.” Provost Lorraine Cameron has campaigned for years for the site to be cleared.
She said: “I am delighted that we finally have movement on the ground at the old Stanely Firs site.
“After 12 years of neglect, planning permission applications that were left to expire, a public enquiry and on-site antisocial behaviour, I really hope that the local people can see an end to this ongoing saga.
“As long as any plans are sympathetic to the area, I think the residents will welcome this move with open arms.”
A decision on the application is due in October.
I am delighted that we finally have movement on the ground at the Stanely Firs site