Public exhibition on plans for new business development site

Plans to develop a new business development site next to Glasgow Airport will be presented at a public exhibition in May.

Renfrewshire Council’s City Deal team will be on hand to discuss the proposals at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew, from 11am to 7pm on Wednesday 2 May.

The City Deal team intend to apply for planning permission in principle for the new business development located at Netherton Farm, to the east of Abbotsinch Road.

A 158-acre site, it would have a focus on advanced manufacturing and research and development, with opportunities for a wide range of businesses large and small.

And the proposed site would be at the centre of the development of emerging plans for an advanced manufacturing innovation district.

Planning consent is already in place for the enabling roads, bridges and cycle routes, which is funded through £39.1million from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with work expected to start on this in late 2018.

Feedback from this public consultation will be incorporated into an application for planning permission in principle to ensure the site is in prime position to attract investors and welcome new tenants.

Planning permission in principle addresses common planning, environmental and statutory requirements for the land, streamlining the process for potential developers, who would still be required to submit detailed planning applications for any proposed developments.

Members of the public will have further opportunity to make formal representation to the planning authority once the application is submitted.

A City Deal spokesperson said: “We would encourage people to come along and learn more about these exciting proposals which have the potential to attract major investment into Renfrewshire and create thousands of jobs.

“This exhibition is an important part of the pre-application planning process and all feedback will be carefully considered before any application is submitted.”