Questions have been raised over affordable housing provision in a proposed new housing development in Bridge of Weir after councillors were told the scheme falls below the policy trigger point.
The application for 10 houses and 23 flats at a site on the western boundary of No 24, Thriplee Road, Bridge of Weir, was before Renfrewshire’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on Tuesday 17th March 2026.
During the meeting, members were given a slideshow presentation by planning officer James McCafferty, who outlined changes to the proposal. Five homes had been removed from the original submission to allow for the retention of 22 existing trees, alongside new native planting and meadow grass aimed at supporting biodiversity.
Cllr Alison Ann-Dowling questioned why there was no Section 75 agreement in place for affordable housing and asked whether at least a small number of units could be provided at a lower cost.
She said: “Given that we take 25 per cent of any development as a standard benchmark, and I accept that it affects the project’s viability, that is also a material consideration, but is there no scope for one or two of the flats to be laid over as affordable housing?”
In response, David Love, Renfrewshire Council’s Democratic Services Manager and Election Office Manager, said the development does not meet the threshold set out in planning policy.
Mr Love said: “The policy sets out the requirements for when it should be sought. On that basis, given the proposed size of the development, it does not require affordable housing to be included.”
Members were advised that the current policy trigger point for affordable housing contributions is developments of 50 units or more.
Councillors also noted the balance between delivering housing and maintaining environmental features on the site, following the reduction in unit numbers to retain mature trees.
The board agreed to carry out a site visit before a final decision is made, following a request from Cllr Iain Nicolson.