The former Chivas Brothers HQ is set to be made available for development – with the site’s iconic main building not included in plans for the new Paisley Grammar School.
Council chiefs believe the plot and its structures in Renfrew Road present an “opportunity” for fresh proposals in the form of an office block, residential accommodation or hotel project.
Potential options have been drawn up in a development brief – a document identifying factors to be considered when preparing proposals for the land and its three buildings – which was recently approved by the planning board.
A report introducing the brief said: “The former Chivas Brothers site off Renfrew Road presents an opportunity for new development proposals [or] uses following the closure of the Chivas operation on the site and the clearance and demolition of operational and ancillary buildings.
“Three buildings remain on site including the category C-listed building of the former Chivas Brothers administration building, Kersland House and the gatehouse building.”
The administration building sits off Renfrew Road, with the proposed Paisley Grammar boundary behind it and West College Scotland campus next door.
The surrounding area consists of a combination of industrial and commercial facilities to the north and west and housing to the east.
The area will benefit from the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) south infrastructure project, which aims to improve links, connect communities and bolster business growth between the town centre and AMIDS at Glasgow Airport.
The council previously sought specialist advice from architects to determine if the main building – built from 1962 to 1964 to resemble a traditional Scottish country house – could be retained as part of the school.
However, the local authority has since confirmed it will not be part of the campus. Instead, it is “proactively marketing” the building to find a new owner and use.
The development brief states: “The site is considered suitable for a range of uses compatible with those neighbouring the site. It is considered that the site provides a particular opportunity for a residential or hotel development.
“The Category C-listed, main administration building and the original Kersland House are considered to be important heritage assets which offer opportunities for restoration and adaptation as part of any development proposal.
“Development proposals require to demonstrate how inclusive design will be achieved with the development relating to and linking well with the surrounding area including the new AMIDS south infrastructure routes and the adjoining site proposed for the new Paisley Grammar school campus.”
Last month, planning convener Jim Paterson asked if there were “indicative timescales” for the Chivas site – warning the longer buildings lie empty, the more they are at risk of fire-raising and other vandalism.
Alasdair Morrison, head of economy and development, said: “In terms of the Chivas building, the timescale for that is as soon as possible but obviously it needs to bear in mind the intentions of building the new Paisley Grammar School behind as well, so hopefully we’ll be able to tie these things together from a construction perspective.”
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