Watermill given the go-ahead to create new rooms
Hotel plans approved by council
Works at an iconic hotel in Paisley – which has been used as accommodation for asylum seekers – have been given the green light by Renfrewshire Council.
Plans to make alterations at the historic Watermill Hotel on Lonend, associated with the creation of eight extra bedrooms, have been approved by the local authority.
Milton Hotel and Leisure Group was made aware of the decision at the end of last month.
The council said the proposal was in line with the provisions of the development plan.
A council report shed some light on the background of the works.
It said: “This application seeks planning permission for the formation of two dormers to the rear of a hotel on Lonend, Paisley.
“The applicant also proposes to both infill and form various window and door openings on an extension to the rear of the hotel.
“The works are in association with the formation of eight additional bedrooms.”
The hotel, which is located to the south of Paisley town centre, fronts on to a car park and is bound by a mix of commercial and residential properties.
The main three-storey building is C-listed but the modern extension at the back does not form part of the listing.
The go ahead was given on the condition that before commencement of development full details of the external finishing materials are submitted to and approved by the planning authority.
It said this was to safeguard the character and special interest of the building.
There were no objections received in relation to the plans.
Detailing its reason for approval, the council said: “The proposal accords with the provisions of the development plan and there were no material considerations which outweighed the presumption in favour of development according with the development plan.”
Earlier this year, Councillor Carolann Davidson requested an update on the number of asylum seekers staying at the Watermill and how many were expected to room share under Home Office policy.
The Labour representative for Paisley East and Central raised the issue at the communities and housing policy board in January.
Laura McIntyre, the council’s head of policy and partnerships, responded: “There are under 50 service users being supported in the hotel within the Paisley area.
“I will seek information from Mears and the Home Office just in relation to the level of room sharing, which I understand, in my most recent update, was very minimal in terms of numbers.”
The works are in association with the formation of eight additional bedrooms