Michael Wilson, the Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate for Ward 6 Paisley Southeast has hit out at Renfrewshire Council for failing to secure the crumbling former Royal Alexandra Infirmary [RAI] building.
If elected, Michael would push for new rules to punish owners of buildings who do not maintain them.
Michael told Renfrewshire News: “In Paisley Southeast, one of the main issues for residents is with the old RAI building which residents have been in touch with me about.
“They have been raising the condition of the building and how derelict the site is for months, residents feel that the problem has still not been properly dealt with and believe that the council has been failing them by not taking proper action against the owner.
“While I’m aware that some moves have been made to try to make the derelict building safe, I would absolutely agree that not nearly enough has been done to try to force the owners to do more to clear up the site. The new owners were quick to buy over the building, thinking they’ll make a quick buck, but are not so quick to look at the mess they are leaving to residents.”
Michael says he would push for new rules which would include full enforcement notices, with financial penalties, must be imposed on rogue owners. would raise the whole issue within the wider planning process to increase dramatically the penalties for speculators and developers to force them to develop a site within a certain period of time, and not leave it to go derelict.
Michael is up against two popular Councilors, Labour’s Eddie Devine and Independent Paul Mack.
Michael recognises he is one of the youngest candidates standing but feels Renfrewshire Council needs more people like him, he said: “I’m young, and this usually wouldn’t matter as much but in a Labour council that’s failing on Education and youth engagement, it’s more important than ever that young people are elected to the Council.”
Council elections take place tomorrow, Thursday 4th May and polls are open from 7am until 10pm.