Councillors will visit the site of a vacant nursing home in Paisley as they prepare to make a call on plans to convert it into 17 flats next month.
The development, which would include associated parking and landscaping, has been proposed at the former Priory Park Nursing Home in Castlehead’s Main Road. Renfrewshire Council planning officers recommended the application, submitted by PZ Investment, be granted permission subject to conditions at August’s planning and climate change policy board.
However, a decision was delayed, with elected members set to attend a site visit next Tuesday to inform their thinking, after a request from Councillor Kenny MacLaren was accepted at the meeting. At the time, he referenced comments submitted by roads development, which focused on the condition of footways, lighting and carriageway along Main Road and issues around parking.
Councillor MacLaren, an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, said: “I’ve got some concerns over this application, particularly in regard to the potential density of this development in contrast to the neighbouring properties. I also share the concerns of the roads department regarding the condition of the footways, lighting and carriageway along Main Road in Castlehead.
“I’m also concerned at the lack of parking spaces. According to the roads department, there is a deficit of two parking spaces plus four visitor spaces, which will end up with people parking on this unadopted road. I believe a site visit would be useful to members to get a greater appreciation of these difficulties.”
Councillor Ben Smith, a Labour representative for Paisley Northwest, added: “I do share some of Councillor MacLaren’s concerns about the nature of the roads and pavements around Castlehead because they are unadopted and in need of repair. I know that’s an ongoing source of tension in many areas across Renfrewshire but it does apply there. However, I think the responses to some of the concerns raised in the report are well-written and along the lines that I was thinking.
“Some of the concerns raised, I don’t think the concerns change if this application were to be accepted. The concerns would be outstanding.
“The impact of the building on the light in the surrounding area isn’t going to change with this application as far as I can understand…I would’ve been minded to accept the recommendations as they stand but if a site visit is what we all would like then that’s also fine with me.”
The site visit is for elected members only and the application is expected to return to the board on Tuesday, November 5, for further consideration.
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