March 26 2024

An application by Springfield Properties to erect 45 affordable flats overlooking a busy roundabout in the Ferguslie district of Paisley has been refused by councillors amidst concern around over development.

Earmarked for grassland adjacent to the A761 the flared V-plan apartment block was to have risen to five storeys in height and finished in a mix of light and grey brick with elements of metal and timber cladding.

The refusal follows concessions including pulling the building line back from the road to the west and north to offer more defensible space. Separate concerns around the height of the development were dismissed by the applicant, however, as any reduction would render the project unviable.

Explaining their recommendation to refuse consent Renfrewshire Council's planning department wrote: "The proposed development, by virtue of its height, scale and design, would have an intrusive and over-dominant impact on the character of the existing built environment and its residential amenity and would not make a positive contribution to place."

Springfield Properties will appeal the decision with Scottish ministers.  

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 26 Mar 2024 at 11:55 AM

Overdevelopment in Paisley -- well that will be a first.

Design wise -- OK filler.
Hobbit spec ground floor looks terrible though -- view from the window is blocked by a small hedge.

Renfrew PD -- they have delusions of adequacy.
The perfect is the enemy of the OK as well as the enemy of the good.

I fear they are just trying to make work.

#2 Posted by Georwell84 on 26 Mar 2024 at 14:34 PM

I hope Springfield Properties win their appeal. This scale is what is required here and other sites around this area.

#3 Posted by pmac on 26 Mar 2024 at 17:28 PM

Glad this has been rejected. What an eyesore this would be. Squeezing in a building that is too big for the footprint and taking away more green space. And I hope they do not win any appeal and Renfrewshire council stand by there decision.

#4 Posted by Chris on 26 Mar 2024 at 18:00 PM

#3 NIMBY detected.

#5 Posted by Paisley Buddy on 27 Mar 2024 at 14:45 PM

Everybody knows Renfrewshir Council are total pants. Plus they have a complete lack of any sense of irony when they say:
"The proposed development, by virtue of its height, scale and design, would have an intrusive and over-dominant impact on the character of the existing built environment and its residential amenity and would not make a positive contribution to place."
This, of course, could've been said of Ferguslie Mill just along along the road and was about twice the height. In a sea of land hungry mediocrity, this building at least would have made for a navigable node point.
Dingbats. I despair in this joke of a process.

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