Fight against new homes
1,160 residents object to plans
More than 1,100 people have objected to the proposed 179- house development at the University of the West of Scotland’s Thornly Park campus.
UWS, in partnership with Miller Homes, is seeking permission from Renfrewshire Council to demolish the sports pitches, student accommodation and Robertson Sports Centre at its campus to make way for the development.
The proposal been recommended for approval by the council’s planning officials.
But 1,160 people have added their names to a group objection formally lodged by Save Paisley’s Green Space.
The Express reported last month that the group had produced a 35-page dossier of evidence which it says proves Thornly Park campus is not suitable for housing.
A spokeswoman for Save Paisley’s Green Space - which is dedicated to protecting and preserving open land of Paisley South - said: “While it is to be expected that Renfrewshire Council’s planning department is recommending the application be granted as the site is allocated in their Local Development Plan for housing, this does not make it inevitable.
“When it comes before the communities, housing and planning policy board for determination, we hope they will see the bigger picture and the continuing and improved benefits to the community this site could bring other than housing and increased traffic.
“This site is a lovely open green space with great biodiversity in animal life and mature trees and, of course, the sports facilities popular with the local communities.
“Housing construction will destroy all the good green land and trees for ever.
“There are other places to build houses that will not deprive us of the good things in nature.”
It is believed the application will be considered by the planning board on May 18.
Save Paisley’s Green Space is asking councillors to consider the affect the development would have on a sizeable bat population and many other species of bird, as well as the loss of native woodland.
Historic features, such as part of the former Thornly Park Industrial School, designed by acclaimed Paisley Architect Thomas Abercrombie, would also be demolished.
Families occupying the new homes would, they say, also have a negative impact on already stretched public services, such as schools, GP surgeries and the local infrastructure, specifically adding pressure to already congested roads.
A spokeswoman for Miller Homes said: “Thornly Park is a brownfield site which has been allocated for housing since 2014 to provide much-needed new homes for the Paisley area and this was ratified recently with the approval of Renfrewshire Council’s Local Development Plan.
“We believe our proposals have been well considered, having evolved taking cognisance of feedback from an extensive consultation exercise and incorporating strategies to support connectivity, local education and sports provision, and we continue to work with the local authority as they consider our application.”
Housing contruction will destroy all the good green land