A multi-million project to transform the Paisley Centre is one step closer to reality after councillors waved their plans through to the next stage.
The planning application in principle for the ambitious project was approved by members of the council’s Communities, Housing and Planning policy board on Tuesday, giving Beyond Retail Property Fund Ltd the green light to submit their full planning application.
The proposals include shops, apartments, a hotel, potential for a state-of-the-art health centre and improved public and outdoor spaces.
The Express revealed last year that BRPF had purchased the Paisley Centre as part of a multi-million pound deal.
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It was later announced in January that an agreement was also in place to take over the former Marks & Spencer High Street unit after the retail chain confirmed its relocation from the town centre.
In May, the firm announced further plans to transform the former Allders Department Store, recently revealing it would be turned into a three-story arts hub called The Art Department.
The plans were welcomed, with councillors praising the proposals as a welcome addition to the town.
Councillor Eddie Devine welcomed the proposals, however, called for assurances that historic building facades in the town which are included in part of the development would be maintained.
The Labour leader said: “I am looking for an absolute guarantee that all of the facades on the buildings will be maintained.
“Sometimes these things are damaged or fall down when building starts and I would be looking for assurances that this will not happen.
“We need these buildings to be still standing in Paisley.
“But that aside, I’m sure we can all accept these look like great proposals.”
Paisley East and Central councillor John McNaughton added: “I very much welcome these proposals.
“I have to commend the developer on their consultation in the community and they have really gone to town explaining their proposal.
“It is very ambitious and would be a fantastic thing for Paisley.”
The pre-application process was approved by councillors, paving the way for Beyond Retail Property Fund Ltd to submit their full planning application later this year.
Richard Ford, Partner at Reith Lambert, which represents BRPF Ltd said: “We very much welcome the decision by Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board to grant planning permission in principle for the repurposing of the Paisley Centre and would like to thank all for their careful consideration of the application.
“This brings our client, Beyond Retail, closer to realising their exciting new multi-use Masterplan for the Paisley Centre.
“This is a major milestone in the project which will allow further detailed plans to be brought forward including new residential development, retail, a brand-new hotel together with the potential for a state-of-the-art health and community hub, which has been a long-held ambition for the town.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public and local stakeholders for engaging with us throughout the consultation and planning process to date and we look forward to working together as we progress our plans to the benefit of Paisley Town Centre.”
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