AS Homes has said the firm is ‘staggered’ that planning officers are recommending a refusal on planning permission at the upcoming planning committee at Renfrewshire Council on 19 March.
The housebuilder said that, if this were to be endorsed by councillors, it would result in the loss of a £40 million investment in ‘much needed’ new housing and regeneration at Ferguslie Park in Paisley.
Despite Renfrewshire Council granting planning permission in principle in 2019 and allocating the site for development of homes in the local development plan, AS Homes revealed planners have recommended the proposal for 180 new homes should be rejected.
MD Paul Kelly said, “We are a local, family-run housebuilder who is committed to delivering for local communities in Ferguslie Park and the wider Paisley area. We are staggered that Renfrewshire Council is recommending refusal for 180 homes at a period of severe housing shortage, especially in an area like Ferguslie Park which could significantly benefit from this massive investment.
“This development is located on a site already zoned for housing and would support the regeneration of Ferguslie Park. Along with blocking the creation of new homes for families, this decision would prevent £40 million of investment into Ferguslie Park, which in turn supports job creation and brings significant social and economic benefits to the community.”
AS Homes submitted plans for 180 new houses for the site near Junction 29, at St James Interchange at Ferguslie Park. The proposals include a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached houses, with ‘generous’ garden areas, open spaces and a dedicated play area.
Planning Permission in Principle approval was granted in 2019 for the wider site comprising a mixed-use development. This was followed by an AMSC (Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions) application for 180 new homes which was validated in September 2022.
AS Homes is already familiar with Ferguslie Park, having built 101 homes for Renfrewshire Council on the site of the former St Fergus Primary School.
Liz Hamilton, senior land and planning manager at AS Homes, said, “The planning officers cite connectivity and education as the reasons for refusal, however both of these matters were approved and deemed acceptable by the council within the overarching planning permission in principle approval. We therefore are firmly of the view that the council has no legal or planning basis to refuse the application for these reasons.”
AS Homes added that The Children’s Services department objected to the development due to a lack of school places, including St Andrew’s Academy and St Fergus Primary School which are currently both above 85% capacity. The housebuilder said it has sought to engage with the council on ‘several occasions’ in relation to this, but have received ‘no reply or guidance’.
Should the application be refused, AS Homes intends to appeal to the Scottish Government independent reporter’s unit.
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said, “This application has been subject to detailed consideration and discussions have been had with the applicant and their representatives. The application will be considered by councillors at the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on Tuesday 19 March.”
