Community leaders in Bridge of Weir and Houston have been praised for a “cracking job” after bringing forward detailed local place plans, but the process also exposed major concerns over public transport and housing.
The two local place plan validations were considered by Renfrewshire’s Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on Tuesday 17th March, with both documents formally submitted as part of the statutory process linked to the future Local Development Plan.
During the discussion, councillors congratulated the community councils involved for the scale of work carried out by volunteers to gather local views and shape proposals for their areas.
Cllr Alison Ann-Dowling said: “I want to start by congratulating Bridge of Weir and Houston Community Council on the huge piece of work that it has undertaken.”
She added: “They have done a cracking job with the submissions.”
Local place plans allow communities to set out priorities for how their area should develop, including land use, housing and infrastructure, and must now be taken into account in future planning decisions.
However, members also highlighted repeated concerns raised by residents, particularly around a lack of public transport.
Cllr Ann-Dowling said: “Houston, as highlighted in the report, still does not have a direct transport route to Paisley, which is absolutely mind-boggling, the nearest town, or a direct public transport route to RAH, which is absolutely incredible.”
Councillors heard that transport connectivity remains a key barrier for residents, particularly in accessing employment, healthcare and services.
Members also pointed to the need for more diverse and sustainable housing, including options for young people trying to stay in their communities and older residents looking to downsize.
Cllr Ben Smith used the meeting to raise concern that some of the areas most in need may be missing out altogether because they do not have active community councils to produce plans.
He said: “Often, those areas would benefit most from the rewards of a local place plan.”
The discussion highlighted concerns that the current system could unintentionally favour more organised or better-resourced communities, leaving others behind.
The board agreed the recommendations, with both local place plans now validated and set to inform future planning policy across Renfrewshire.