HOUSING bosses have put forward proposals for the construction of 100 new homes in Ferguslie Park.

Renfrewshire Council officers are now considering two major changes to regeneration planned for the Tannahill area of Paisley.

Instead of building 40 new homes, the local authority has suggested the construction of 100 in the area, while increasing the number of properties that could be demolished.

A number of houses in Tannahill Road, Tannahill Terrace, Drums Avenue and Ferguslie Park Avenue have been earmarked to be knocked down.

However, no final decision has been taken on the proposals.

In the next few months, Renfrewshire councillors will discuss the idea at board meetings.

Renfrewshire Council has also it assured it will also continue “to speak with tenants and residents” and ensure proposals meet residents’ “needs and preferences”.

John McIntyre, chairman of Ferguslie Community Council, was pleased with the latest proposals.

He said: “We are absolutely delighted for the people of Tannahill after years of living in damp dilapidated housing, not knowing if anything was going to happen with their homes.

“The Ferguslie Community Council and our partners at Renfrewshire Council are happy to embark on community consultations in the Tannahill area to arrive at the best solutions that meet the needs of the people.

“This development will conclude the physical regeneration of Ferguslie Park, which suddenly stopped over 20 years ago leaving a once sought after beautiful area to fall into disrepair.”

Council tenants will have the option to remain in the area, which has been welcomed by Paisley Northwest Councillor Karen Kennedy.

She said: “It’s great to see them building more new housing and allowing people that want to stay in the area to do so.

“That was the thing all along. People wanted to stay and were worried about not being able to, so it’s good to see that in the proposals.”

Private owners will have the option of of either selling to the local authority and making their own arrangements or exchanging their current Tannahill property for another vacant council one of similar value.

Meanwhile private tenants affected by the proposals will be given housing options advice.

The new build housing would be built in phases to allow existing tenants to move directly into their homes.

It is anticipated that construction work could start in 2020, taking around 18 months to complete.