Paisley activists say they are seeking legal advice after planning permission was granted for more than 600 homes in a 150 million project at Dykebar.
Bellway Homes, Cala Homes and Barratt Homes were formally granted permission for their proposed Thornly Park village by the Scottish Government Reporter.
The national planning authority had earlier indicated it was minded to approve the development off Grahamston Road but has now published its final decision.
The move has “disappointed” and “disgusted” Save Paisley’s Green Space (SPGS) which has fought a three-year battle to save the local wildlife haven.
The group said it was investigating whether or not they could continue to thwart the developers with a judicial review.
A spokeswoman for the organisation told the Paisley Daily Express: “To say that SPGS as well as the community that we represent is disappointed with the reporter’s approval of the Dykebar proposal would be an understatement.
“People are shocked and disgusted with the disconnect between climate crisis, the ambition to achieve net zero and allowing the destruction and loss of green space, with even more trees destroyed and wildlife displaced.
“SPGS have asked environmental solicitors to look at any possibility of a judicial review which can only be on a point of law.”
The Reporter’s decision has been a hammer blow for SPGS which this month saw another fight to save the former University of the West of Scotland Thornly Park campus from development end in devastation.
Protesters climbed trees and obstructed diggers but hundreds of trees were ultimately decimated as the site off Caplethill Road was cleared for the 179-house Miller Homes development.
The spokeswoman added: “The loss to the community far outweighs any benefits from jobs created which will be temporary. The loss of green space is irreversible.”
The development will see a range of homes from one-bedroom flats to five-bed detached houses built around a central meadow where the wetland is currently situated. It is expected to take eight years to complete.
The first planning application was initially thrown out by Renfrewshire councillors.
But the Reporter said he could “not justify” upholding the local authority’s decision, despite recognising problems with schools, roads and biodiversity.
Instead, the planning chief said these could be addressed with 20 conditions. A spokesman for the developers said: “Cala, Barratt and Bellway welcome the Reporter’s confirmation of planning permission for the allocated housing site on surplus land at Dykebar Hospital.
“We will now focus our attention on working with the relevant authorities to deliver this £150 million sustainable development and the economic and social benefits that this much-needed new housing will provide to the local area and Renfrewshire.”
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