Paisley 2021 bid gets green light from councillors
April 20, 2017Pipe bands from across the world set to battle it out to be named Britain’s best
April 20, 2017The public will have their say on a new masterplan to regenerate the West End of Paisley.
Councillors agreed today (Thursday 20 April) that the draft Paisley West End Regeneration Masterplan should move to public consultation in June 2017.
Extensive engagement will now begin with tenants, residents, businesses, landowners and all other interested parties on the masterplan proposals for around 150 homes, providing a mix of private and social housing as well as new commercial units, subject to demand.
The plan covers an area comprising Well Street, Underwood Lane, Clavering Street East, Sutherland Street, Oakshaw Brae and West Brae.
Tenement flats on the east side of Well Street; commercial ground floor properties in the tenement blocks and vacant residential blocks on Clavering Street East would be demolished as part of the plans.
Clearance of the vacant former University of the West of Scotland Halls of Residence and relocation of community growing areas on Sutherland Street – redeveloping these sites for housing – are also included in the proposals.
Residents affected would be supported by the Council to find suitable alternative accommodation and Council officers will also work with affected business owners and tenants to determine their preferences and potentially source available alternative premises which meet their aspirations.
Affected tenants and property owners will be contacted individually by the Council to discuss their thoughts on the proposals, with the option of a face-to-face meeting and an invitation to drop-in consultation events at local community venues.
Meetings are also planned with Paisley West and Central Community Council, Paisley West End Tenants and Residents Association, University of the West of Scotland and private landowners.
Costs to deliver the masterplan are being developed and will be informed through the consultation process and site investigations of the undeveloped land. Scottish Government grant support for the project would be brought forward through Renfrewshire’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which includes a £10 million provisional allowance.
Comments regarding the proposal for the redevelopment of Well Street and the West End of Paisley:
Councillor Mags MacLaren, SNP Housing Spokesperson, said:
“I welcome this long-awaited proposal as it will result in improved housing within Well Street and the West End of Paisley. “
This proposal has been on the table for years and there is still some way to go before all the funding is secured to enable it to be completed. However, this proposal would see new housing coming into the West End, including using the gap site behind Well Street.”
Councillor Kenny MacLaren, SNP Group Leader, added:
“It’s been a while since the original proposal was put out to Sanctuary Housing to bring forward some details, so it’s good that there is now something in the public domain which residents of Well Street can look at.
“Obviously, I would hope that existing council tenants and businesses would have a higher priority when it came to any new social housing and new business units within the area but in general
“I welcome this long-awaited proposal as it will result in improved housing within Well Street and the West End of Paisley. “This proposal has been on the table for years and there is still some way to go before all the funding is secured to enable it to be completed. However, this proposal would see new housing coming into the West End, including using the gap site behind Well Street.” Councillor Kenny MacLaren, SNP Group Leader, added: “It’s been a while since the original proposal was put out to Sanctuary Housing to bring forward some details, so it’s good that there is now something in the public domain which residents of Well Street can look at. “Obviously, I would hope that existing council tenants and businesses would have a higher priority when it came to any new social housing and new business units within the area but in general terms the plans look promising.”
Kevin McNeillie-Welsh, the secretary of Paisley West Tenants and Residents Association, said:
“The redevelopment of Well Street is a major issue for us and we have been pressing the housing department to bring forward their proposals. I’m glad they’ve eventually done so as it will now give our members a chance to add their voice to the consultation process.”
