Plans for 30 flats and a new retail unit in Johnstone have been approved by Renfrewshire councillors despite concerns that the development would be too tall for the surrounding area.
The proposal by Aslam Developments will see a residential development built on a long-derelict site at 14-18 MacDowall Street, around 45 metres from Johnstone town centre. The development will include 30 one-bedroom flats across two blocks, alongside a ground-floor retail unit, parking, cycle storage and amenity space.
Planning officers recommended approval, describing the site as a brownfield plot that has remained vacant for more than 15 years and arguing the development would help support the vitality of the town centre.
However, the proposal faced opposition from Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch councillor Chris Gilmour, who argued the building would be out of keeping with neighbouring properties.
Speaking at the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board on Tuesday, Councillor Gilmour said: “The majority of the buildings in the area at the moment are three storeys and no bigger.
“The proposal proposes four storeys plus retail and, to the back, three storeys.”
He added: “It really is just one storey too high, four at the front and three at the rear. It would be far more in keeping with the area of three at the front, as is the case across the road at McDowall Street, and two at the back.”
Councillor Gilmour stressed he was not opposed to housing on the site but believed the scale of the proposal should be reduced.
He said: “My reason for speaking today is not to oppose the development but to ensure that it is in keeping with the local area.”
The concerns were echoed by Councillor Andy Doig, who said there had previously been complaints about taller buildings in the area and acknowledged local sensitivities around the issue.
However, Councillor Doig also highlighted what he saw as significant benefits from the development.
He said: “I was heartened by the fact that there are one-bedroom flats. I think that that is really important.
“We get so many applications that come before the board and they want to build three, four and five-bedroom houses, but nobody seems to acknowledge the fact that we desperately need one-bedroom flats built.”
He also welcomed the inclusion of a retail unit, saying it would help “energise the footfall at McDowall Street”.
Planning officers advised councillors that they could not simply remove a floor from the application through a condition. Instead, the board had to either approve or refuse the development as submitted.
Councillor Gilmour subsequently moved a refusal motion, which was seconded by Councillor Bruce MacFarlane.
A counter-motion supporting the officer recommendation for approval was moved by board convener Councillor Jim Paterson.
Following a vote, councillors approved the development by 10 votes to four.
The development will now proceed subject to the planning conditions set out by the council.
Photo: The long-derelict site at 14–18 MacDowall Street, Johnstone, where plans for 30 one-bedroom flats and a ground-floor retail unit have been approved by Renfrewshire Council
Photo Credit:Renfrewshire News