Paisley residents gather in protest against controversial plans

Proposed plans submitted by Classic Land and Property Ltd revealed their intention to extend into the wooded area on Linwood Road in Paisley.

Currently, a business called Northern Vans Hire sits in front of the site.

Papers indicate that the land will be transformed into a storage area with containers, a 'van graveyard', along with an office, workshop and valet shed if planners approve the proposal. 

Residents in nearby streets have, however, viciously objected to the idea of building on the land with the reasons of protecting wildlife, flooding concerns and noise pollution all cited.

A protest was arranged on Friday (April 19) which was attended by dozens of concerned neighbours as well as councillors Andy Steel and Jacqueline Cameron.

Gordon Brown speaking during the gathering (Image: Colin Mearns)

Gordon Brown, 55, is a resident of Fisher Drive who says he will be heavily affected should the plans go ahead and feels that the proposals are "crazy."

He said: "The area is notorious for flooding and the traffic congestion is already bad as it is.

"But looking at the plans, the containers, which look like they will have walkways, will be towering over my back garden fence.

"I just can't believe it.

"It is a clear security issue and risk.

"They have said that they [the containers] will be five meters but what if they want it to be more?

"I don't have a digger to go in and move it.

"If you look back at the plans where they are trying to build it has always been some sort of farmland or wooded area.

"We have lived here for over 30 years and if these plans go ahead that changes everything that me and my wife wanted to do.

"Everything about this is just crazy."

Wooded area where proposed plans will be (Image: Colin Mearns)

People staying in the nearby area say that the plans going ahead will affect those staying on Fisher Drive, Fisher Way, Linwood Road, Whitesbridge Avenue and Whitesbridge Crescent.

Residents also claim that there is more wildlife living in the area than suggested and that building on the land would displace them.

Ian and Judith Thorley (Image: Colin Mearns)

Ian and Judith Thorley, also of Fisher Drive, said: "Properties around the woodland have confirmed sightings of bats. At the very least the bats are hunting in this area due to the standing water and the abundance of insect life.

"If there are bats, they are protected by law and it's the landowner's responsibility to carry out a bat survey i.e. Renfrewshire Council to determine if there is a roost.

"A number of the residents have reported newts in their gardens, but the species is to be determined. We can only assume the newts are coming from the woodland area."

John Brown, 68, of Whitesbridge, says that locals fear the plans because they would "destroy the little green space" they have in the area as well as contribute to flooding.

He added: "It is an environmental disaster building on that land.

"The application is horrendous and it is shocking what they want to do.

"The flooding has always been bad about here and [the woodland] acts as a natural barrier. Building on top of that will make the water go elsewhere."

Jacqueline Cameron and Andy Steel (Image: Colin Mearns)

Cllr Steel and Cameron both say the community concerns on flooding, traffic and wildlife are "valid" and that more should be done to paint a clear picture.

Hannah Farren, who also lives in Whitesbridge, says without building on the land, the water flooding is already bad and that any more construction would add to the problem.

She said: "The concrete that goes down will push the water out and it has to go somewhere, and that could be people's back gardens.

"Right where Aldi is, it always floods because the drainage is so bad. 

"Where do they think that water will go?"

Ian Thorley also added on the topic of flooding: "Our estate has had flooding problems before and during very heavy rain we still have water coming up through manholes.

"The woodland area has a very high amount of standing water that acts as a natural SuDS area (sustainable drainage system), with a high number of trees that are naturally suited for such areas i.e. Willow, Silver Birch, Ash and Alder along with naturally occurring understorey.

"If this application is allowed to proceed, this natural SuDS area has gone, the application has no SuDS area incorporated, so where does this water go?

"Most water will probably go to the surrounding residential properties and may add to the regular flooding at Aldi on the main road, as the sewer system is already under pressure."

Classic Land and Property Ltd and Jewitt and Wilkie Architects have been approached for comment.