Plans to build 48 flats on the site of the former Half-Time School in Paisley have been given the go-ahead by Renfrewshire Council.

Westpoint Homes has been granted planning permission for the residential development – including parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure – at Maxwellton Road, subject to conditions and a Section 69 agreement.

The project will involve the construction of a C-shaped building, which a planning statement from agent company Stantec said will “provide a choice of attractive accommodation” in the town, close to services and public transport.

While the proposal ultimately landed the green light following a vote, it did not receive universal support at Tuesday’s planning and climate change policy board.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren, an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, said: “I’ve got a number of concerns about this site, not least that we threw out a similar proposal last time round.

“This time round the proposal is larger but has fewer parking spaces and all the traffic access is on to Maxwellton Road, which already has a primary school next to it, Spinners Gate Resource Centre next to it and West Primary just further down the street.”

The veteran politician requested a site visit but, despite receiving the backing of four other board members, was outnumbered as ten voted in favour of determining the application without one.

A second vote was then held on the application itself, with 12 in favour of approving permission and three, including Councillor MacLaren, in favour of refusal.

The location was once home to the iconic Half-Time School – originally built to help educate young mill workers – which was demolished in 2019 after the granting of listed building consent via appeal the previous year.

Councillor Ben Smith, a Labour representative for Paisley Northwest, said: “If this was to be passed … it’s a silver lining to a sad story – the fact that that building and the facade was lost.

“I think over the years there could’ve been different interventions that might’ve saved different parts but it never came to be for various reasons.

“I understand what Councillor MacLaren is saying about the bottleneck and the traffic jams around West school and St Mary’s school across the road.

“But I think it could be argued that that’s a separate standing problem that needs to be dealt with by the council regardless of whether this goes through or not.”

He added he felt the development would be a “great addition” to the community.