Communities will have the chance to shape a regeneration programme for Ferguslie Park under plans to be considered by councillors next week.
Members of the Renfrewshire Council Leadership Board will consider proposals for a major investment in the area which are focussed around the development of a Regional Centre for Sport and new homes.
The state-of-the-art sports facility would create a focus for local communities and generate opportunities for jobs, health improvement and activities for young people, as well as attracting visitors from across Renfrewshire.
It is expected to include a range of indoor and outdoor pitches for football, rugby and hockey as well as a specialist sports clinic, conditioning suite and associated changing facilities.
Initial proposals in relation to the sports facility, which is estimated to involve investment in the region of £14M, have been developed in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland and St Mirren FC.
The proposals involve investing in existing stock, the demolition of low demand and vacant properties and developing a small number of new affordable homes.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren has criticised the plans saying the new housing being built falls short of what is being knocked down. He said that ‘the 204 houses that are to be demolished (183 council properties and 21 private homes) will be replaced with only 40 new houses’.
Councillor Tommy Williams, Renfrewshire Council’s convener of housing, said:“The regeneration of Ferguslie Park is a priority for the council.
“We are determined that proposals are led by the local community and I’m very pleased that the plans to be considered by the Board reflect the outcomes of our community consultation in summer 2016.”
“Most residents told us they want to stay in the area, with many people speaking positively about good local facilities, a community spirit and closeness to their neighbours, family and friends.
“The proposals for housing investment have been developed to reflect these views and enable local residents to remain in the area.
“The sports proposals have also been developed to include additional facilities and improve transport links to the area to reflect the views expressed”.
The plans to be considered by councillors will enable further consultation with the local community, local sports groups and all potential partners and funders on the detail of the regional sports facility and housing investment plans.
Councillor Williams explained: “We believe that the proposals will give local people access to top class sporting facilities, high quality housing and have wider social and economic benefits.
“So far the local community have played a key role throughout the process and we are keen this continues.
“If the consultation is approved then I would urge everyone to share their views on the proposals, so that the final plans we ultimately take forward continue to reflect local people’s vision for their community.”
SNP Group Leader in Renfrewshire, Councillor Kenny MacLaren said: “There are some serious concerns about this proposal. According to the report which will be discussed at next week’s leadership board, 204 houses are to be demolished (including 183 council properties and 21 private homes) and replaced with only 40 new houses.
“There is still very limited detail on the new Regional Sports Facility – so far only the council has put aside funding for this, funding that may be better used improving existing roads and other facilities in the area.
“The report mentions support within the community for this plan – but that’s not what I heard at the community event held in St Mirren Park. There is also the perception that everyone was to get a new house from this deal – so I think a lot of the community will be surprised when they hear that over 200 houses will be demolished and replaced by only 40 properties.
“Only Labour could destroy hundreds of houses, replace them with a minor amount and call it regeneration. A significant number of the people who will be losing their homes have stayed in this area for over 10 years and there will not even be enough new homes to cater for them.
If plans are approved by councillors, consultation on the proposals is anticipated to start in early March.
The council has written to residents of the area to inform them that the report will be considered by the board on Wednesday 15th February.