Plans to build a row of shops – including a convenience store – at the site of a demolished church in Paisley have taken a significant step forward.
Planning permission in principle has been granted, subject to conditions, for the retail development within the grounds of the former Martyrs’ Sandyford Church in Montgomery Road.
It comes after Montgomery Marshall Developments submitted an application to Renfrewshire Council for the project in July of last year.
A report of handling by the chief planning officer explained: “This application seeks planning permission in principle for a retail development within part of the grounds of the former Martyrs Sandyford Church on Montgomery Road in Paisley.
“The indicative layout and accompanying information illustrate the formation of a parade of six single-storey class 1A shop units set back from and fronting Montgomery Road.
“It would comprise five units each with a floor area of 92.9 square metres and one unit with a floor area of 298 square metres totalling 762.5 square metres of floor space.
“A car parking area is proposed to the side (east) of the parade with 28 spaces and a lay-by to the front of the units would provide a further three spaces. The remainder of the site would be landscaped. The existing access and egress to the site would be retained and upgraded.”
According to the report, the application site extends to approximately 0.6 hectares and is “generally flat”.
The former church was demolished in 2011 with the exception of the old hall building which remains “in a compromised and vacant condition.”
It is located on the edge of Gallowhill and bound to the north and northwest by the M8 motorway, to the south and east by homes and to the east by areas of scrub land.
Assessing the proposal, the report added: “The proposal could contribute to local living and strengthen amenities within the area allowing residents to have access to a wider variety of retail uses as well as being compatible with and complementary to existing uses within the area.”
In its official decision notice, the council confirmed the proposal was in line with the provisions of the development plan.
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