Development in Scotland's largest town and the surrounding towns of Johnstone, Renfrew and Erskine. Any major goings-on in the villages I'll try and cover as well.

New luxury hotel at centre of £30million development proposal for Paisley

press release 6th sept 2007

An innovative £30m development proposal for Paisley could provide the heart of the town with its first four star luxury hotel.

Construction firm McGarvey Construction (Scotland Ltd) has submitted its plans to Renfrewshire Council which include the development of the132-bed hotel, 70,000 sq ft of new office space and 26 luxury apartments with private parking.

The landmark development would transform the wasteland at New Sneddon Street into a smart cosmopolitan area overlooking the White Cart River.

The existing public car park provision on the Council land would be retained as part of the new development through basement parking.

The new proposals would also mean a potential employment boost bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area.

Paisley based developer James McGarvey said:

“We think this is a really exciting development which could change the face of Paisley. Bringing together the hotel and luxury apartments alongside some brand new office space would really encourage people into the heart of the town.

“Our plans include a range of facilities including an attractive roof top bar area, a restaurant and gym. Given the town’s great transport links I thought it was ideally placed for this development. Paisley is an attractive and vibrant town and I am confident in our investment.

“I have been really impressed with the way the Paisley Vision Board and its partners have been working for the last year to improve the town centre and I am confident this development could be the jewel in the crown for future years.”

One of the main strands in the strategy for regeneration and transformation of the town centre is for stronger public and private sector partnerships.

The Paisley Vision Board, which is driving forward the plans for the rejuvenation of the town, today welcomed the proposals.

Councillor Derek Mackay, Chairman of the Paisley Vision Board, said:

“These are incredibly exciting proposals and are definitely in the spirit of what we are looking for in terms of increased public private sector partnership. The future of our town is not the responsibility of one body but of everyone working together for the benefit of the area.

“I welcome these proposals and I think they have the potential to make a real contribution to the regeneration plans for Paisley. I think this proposition also sends out a good message to other potential investors that Paisley is very much open for business.”

The planning application has just been submitted to the Council and is due to be discussed later this year.

Cotton Street
A major residential and commercial development is set to be created in Paisley town centre.

Plans have been announced to develop 117 flats in four apartment blocks with associated car parking spaces and 890 square metres of commercial space at ground floor level.

The proposals are being taken forward as part of the redevelopment of the headquarters of Renfrewshire Council. Currently the Council HQ occupies two office blocks in Cotton Street, Paisley. Later this year, the 4500 council staff located there will begin the move into a refurbished £13.5million headquarters on the site of the existing south block.

Having found that repairs to the 1970’s built headquarters buildings would have cost between £18 and £20 million, Renfrewshire Council opted to refurbish and expand one of its HQ blocks. The move will bring about a modern working environment for staff and be more accessible for customers. A customer service centre will provide a ‘one stop shop’ approach to deliver council services.

Renfrewshire Council has now completed a tendering process for the disposal of land currently occupied by the north building section of the HQ. Councillors accepted the proposal from Westpoint Homes Ltd which is now the preferred bidder for the acquisition and redevelopment of the site.

Subject to contracts being concluded and planning permission being granted, the site will be made available to the developer in 2008.

Councillor John Kenny, who has the general management remit at Renfrewshire Council, said, “We were particularly keen to secure a high quality development given the importance of the the town centre location. The refurbished council HQ will deliver better customer service. Alongside that, the programme has created this option for development which will contribute to the regeneration of Paisley. All the presentations to the Council’s HQ selection panel were of a high calibre. The proposal from Westpoint should enhance the area and compliment the Council’s substantial investment in our headquarters programme.”

A few links to some developments in this area,

http://www.renfrewriverside.com/

http://www.ferryvillage.com/

http://clydewaterfront.com/renfrew_town_centre_regeneration.aspx

http://www.braehead4business.com/

http://www.xscape.co.uk/snow/braehead/

Cotton Street

Providing high quality, attractive housing is a major objective of the action plan. Aflagship scheme will transform the eastren arc of the town centre (from Gilmour Street Station , through the former Arnotts site and into Cotton Street/Bridge Street) into a mixed-use urban quarter comprising a high quality residential development, student housing, shops, office space and new transport infrastructure.

Following a competitive process, Westpoint Homes, one of Scotland's leading bespoke homebuilders, have been appointed to redevelop one of the town centre's prime sites.

Westpoint's proposals will replace the Council HQ North Building with 117 luxury apartments, all with private parking and 890 square metres of commercial space in four new buildings.

Enterprise in Paisley

Investement is palnned for the Town Centre with new office buildings developed for existing and new businesses in the area.

Currently investigating the scope for a new business centre to house 'knowledge-based' ventures, including university 'spin-outs' (business taking Uni research and developing it for commercial purposes).

Paisley Retail

Action plan in place to stop decline of Paisley's town centre retail. Practical measures are in place to assist landowners in finding new uses for their property and identifying occupiers for vacant properties like the Littlewoods store. financial assistance will be on hand for businesses refurbishing outlets or building new shop fronts.

More unusual retail planned adding to the Farmer's Market, a German Market is planned for this month (September) in the County Square and a Christmas Market is planned for December.

Housing Regeneration in Paisley

The three 15 storey high flats at Millarston - West, Woodneuk and Millarston Courts - are currently being stripped for demolition which will be undertaken by the long reach method as opposed to implosion. this is due to close proximity to the Glasgow/Ayr railway line. The demolition will be the 2nd phase in the regeneration of Millarston East which began in 2002 with the demolition of John Neilson High School, on which new a new housing estate, Ashview, is nearing completion. The tenements on Millarston Drive and Millarston Avenue will also be demolished in phase 3.

The two high rises at Cartha Crescent in Hunterhill are almost empty.

Doors Open Day
Annual Doors Open Day returns to Renfrewshire for the weekend.

Saturday - Paisley, Erskne, Renfrew, Bishopton, Inchinan

Sunday - Johnstone, Elderslie, Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Houston

One of the highlights is access to Castl Semple Tower in Lochwinnoch, where you can see views across the Semple Estate and look at a full-size copy of the estate plan from it's 1760's heyday.

Crime in Paisley Town Centre

Chewing gum patrols are already on the streets looking to 'hose off' gum from the streets.

After investing £40,000 in police for the town centre last December alone, Renfrewshire Council are now looking a employing town centre wardens who will patrol after dark to deter antisocial behavior.

Renfrew Riverside

One of the largest regeneration programs in Scotland, transforming 75 hectares of derelict industrial land for residential, leisure and business use. The scheme will link Renfrew to Braehead by redeveloping the land from the shopping centre to the Renfrew Ferry. It will take 10 years to complete and is costing £500m. 2000 new homes; 50,000 square metres of business space; a new public park; riverside walkway; and cycl path. It will create thousands of jobs over the next 7 years.

Phase 1

Xscape Entertainment Centre

http://www.xscape.co.uk
Work began 3 years ago and it opened for business in April 2006. The £70m complex has a snow slope, indoor bowling, rock climbing, high rise obstacle course, fan drop, mini golf and retail outlets. The 12 screen Odeon cinema will open 'towards the end of 2007'. Xscape has created 1000 jobs.

Riverside

This will bring a mix of flats, villas and townhouses to the area. The wetsren area - Ferry Village, containing 160 dwellings, has been completed.

Clyde View Park

7 acre site planned for the new park which will contain a wlkway along the suth bank of the Clyde.

Infrastructure

King's Inch Road will be increased to 4 lanes to deal with rise in traffic.

--

Phase 2

5 major housebuilders are now onsite. The business element that has been planned is now underway with 33,000sq ft of office space north of King's Inch Road and a 100 bed hotel adjacent to Xscape. The removal of electricity pylons west of the town centre will cost £4m to free up land.

Renfrew Town Centre

£4m scheme funded by the Council and Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire with additinal funding from the EU began in Sept 2006 and will be completed by Spring 2008.

*traffic management meaures to reduce speeds in town centre
*widening of pavements on Hairst Street and High Street with landscaping and on-street parking.
*retention of High Street flowerbeds
*new traffic lights at junction of Hairst Street, High Street, Paisley Road and Glebe Street
*War Memorial will be moved to a more prominant position in time for Armistice 2007
*key prposals are on display in the Town Hall. Bulletins are available from here and the library.

Johnstone Town Centre regeneration

80,000sq ft new Morrisons supermarket is now open for business on Napier Street, just off the A737. It is on the fomer site of the Barbush Spinning Mills and the Chemical Plant, both of which had lain in a derelict state for many years. It has created 300 jobs.

The Linenmill housing development, by Dawn Homes, is under construction nearby and contains 88 flats.

A new pedestrian bridge links Collier Street car park with Morrisons and Linenmill. The said car park will also be improved as will the banks of the Black Cart Water. A new health centre will also be built.

the derelict Paton's Mill, the world's first machine powered mill, is being converted for residential and commercial use. The council are currently discussing with developers a deveopment program.

Lidl have demolished the old Somefield supermarket on the High Street and are currently laying the founations for the new building.

Johnstone Housing regeneration


Johnstone Castle

the first residents have moved into the new terraced houses on Willow Drive. The development, built by O'Brien Homes is the first private housing to be built in the scheme, located on the site of low demand tenements which were demolished in 2004. Ther are as yet no plans to build on the other derelict sites at Maple Drive and Holly Place.

Corseford

The new Fordbank housing development on Ness Avenue is nearing completion, the first private development in the scheme, regenerating the area.

Education

Renfrewshire's schools are currently undergoing a major regeneration with the aid of PPPP. New schools have already been built over the past 2 years:

*St Benedict's High School, Linwood
*Gleniffer High School, Paisley
*Todholm Primary School, Paisley
*Fordbank Primary School, Johnstone
*Ferguslie Primary School, Paisley

Houston Primary and Gryffe High in Houston have both been extensively refurbished in the last year. new projects under construction are

*Castlehead High School, Paisley
*Linwood High School, Linwood
*St Peter's Primary School, Paisley
*An as yet unnamed primary school in Johnstone to replace Cochrane Castle and St David's

Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Erskine

A new Morrisons supermarkt will open on the 10th of September 2007

Royal Ordinance Factory, Bishopton

There are plans to demolish the factory and build housing on the land.

I've only been in Paisly once as far as I can remember. That was this summer when I dropped the car off at the airport parking place next tot he river and went to the airport. Looked a real dump of a place...

ah yes... it is unfortunate that an airport car park is located on the edges of scotland's most deprived neighbourhood, ferguslie park... not the greatest of adverts for the town but the rest of it isnt that much better ;)

I really feel sorry for Paisley, its has such great potential only let down by its LA and planning disasters :( It puts me in mind of a handsome uncle whose wife died early on in the marriage and he's never gotten over it and lives day to day all his life. Deeply saddening.

:? interesting metaphor crusty :lol:. i think it's just a town in need of a lot of investment. It doesnt get nearly as much money thrown at it as it should for a town of it's size. There are towns in England of a similar size that have exciting regeneration schemes in place that show exciting proposed developments transforming the area. In Paisley, there are no such schemes. Its hopelessly neglected by Renfrewshire Council in some areas... most obviously in three areas:

*retail - the town was never strong in this sense. Not when Glasgow city centre is a 10minute train journey away but the shopping centres and the High Street are actually disappearing before our eyes. The department store in the Paisley Centre is closing down, Arnotts went to the wall years ago, Littlewoods, Red Clothing, Etam... so many shops have closed down since Braehead opened and it's too late to save the town centre no matter how many gimmicks they introduce.

*Industry - a town with 78,000 people should not be a commuter town. but it is because there are no high major office complexes to attract big business.

*Housing - There is a massive over supply of council flats in the towns of Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone. 13% of the council housing stock are in high rise or deck access blocks and contribute to 80% of the council's housing stock overall. a sizable chunk of these are unihabited - 9% - and some areas have as high unoccupancy rates as 50% (Moorpark, Renfrew, 2001). Where flats have been knocked down, there is little planning as to what will replace them, hence 2/3 of ferguslie park is wasteland and where new houses have been built, they do not address the geographical problems of the estate's location (which was crucial to it's downfall in the first place) failing to solve the area's problems in the long term. There are too few, what could be descibed as "middle class family" houses, especially for social rent. There are, dare i say it, too few 'yuppie' flats around the town centre (fingers crossed Cotton Street isnt the only area that developers have in mind) and in general.... pffft! this town gets me so angry at times...

I really feel sorry for Paisley, its has such great potential only let down by its LA and planning disasters :( It puts me in mind of a handsome uncle whose wife died early on in the marriage and he's never gotten over it and lives day to day all his life. Deeply saddening.


Think im gonae greet! I used to shop in paisley all the time in the early to mid 90's but even then it was showing a down turn I remember spending hours in the model shop in old sneddon street, anyhoo after crusty's analergy I'm wae to watch the shawshank redemtion & have a sob into my giant pillow

I think Renfrewshire Council shot themselves in the foot annexing Braehead, they should have left that to Glasgow and concentrated on creating a more ecclectic/boutique type shopping experience in Paisley town centre and doing the same with hotels on and around the mound on which the observatory et al sit. I also think its disgraceful to see tenements still derelict within the town centre area.

Paisley will always struggle to compete with Glasgow regardless of the town potential. It needs to carve a niche for itself, perhaps playing on the textile history.

i dont think so much annexing Braehead was a bad move. if Glasgow had kept the shopping centre, it's location would still draw consumers away from Paisley. At least, since Renfrewshire Council own Braehead, any profits from there can be put towards say creating the shopping experience that you so desire, Mr Bint ;)

i think they would play up the textile history a bit more if they hadnt demolished so many beautiful mills in the past 20 years

http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/images/684463.jpg

Its difficult for anywhere within the orbit of Glasgow. Kilmarnock for example has suffered from similar blights. Poor town planning and dreadful roads developments. Nasty large shopping mall. Latterly suburban retail malls and lego house sprawl exacerbated by the building of the motorway which has made it all to easy for people to bypass the town centre entirely and head up into town. Silverburn will be another kick in the teeth for all provincial centres south of Glasgow and it makes no sense on anything other than an economic level. Planning as one dimensional as that is a disgrace. We need to take a joined up view of planning across the central belt but even that may not be enough to reverse the mistakes of the past and present.

Housing in Johnstone

Johnstone Castle

11 tenement flats on Maple Drive, deemed uninhabitable, are currently being refurbished. This includes one ground floor flat vacant for several months after being neglected by previous tenants, one 1st floor flat trashed recently by vandals and a close of 8 which has lain in disrepair for around 5 years. Despite lots of demolition in the top end of the scheme in recent years, the decision was taken to refurbish rather than demolish due to high occupancy rates in the surrounding flats. the 1st floor flat on the corner at Sycamore Avenue has already been brought up to Linstone HA's standard and the steel shutters have been brought off the close up the road for the first time in years. There are sill much work to be done however as much of the exterior has been damaged or vandalised.

Cochrane Castle

ANGRY campaigners have vowed to contest a decision to allow a massive housing development to be built on their doorsteps.

After months of fighting to stop plans for 24 new homes to be built next to Cochrane Castle, in Johnstone, objectors feel their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

During the past four months residents got together to voice several concerns about losing their play area and open space, traffic congestion, noise, contamination of the land and safety of the site — which is a former mining field.

However, despite several requests for a meeting to discuss the issues, the objectors were delivered a bitter blow when the planning board voted eight to five to grant permission to Cube Housing Association for 24 semi-detached, two-storey houses to be built on land opposite Bruce Avenue and Burns Drive.

Elaine Kelly, of Dunbar Avenue, said: "It was very disappointing. We were denied the opportunity of a hearing of objectors or a continuation.

"The report was wrong, they said there was only 40 objections when there were 300 names on a petition and at the different stages of the development there has been 250 letters, so they are way off the mark.

"They chose to ignore that amount of protesters and it was pointed out again and again they were choosing to ignore the people. It absolutely stinks.

"I am afraid it is looking more and more likely that it is past the point of no return for us but we are not going to give up.

"We are going to go through everything with a fine tooth comb."

Joan Pietryga, of Ramsay Avenue, said: "I just feel that people haven't had their say.

"I have lived here for 53 years and I just feel there is something not right about it.

"People feel very very let down. I feel a meeting should have been called for the people of Cochrane Castle. It is just not fair.

"It was a nice housing estate but people are worried now. It worries me and I am thinking I should get out of here while the going is good.

"Things are quite bad with young ones coming round and hanging about so what's it going to be like with another 24 social rented houses."

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "The planning process has been carried out in the normal manner in relation to this planning application and the Council has been fully open and honest with the objectors. All the objections received were assessed and taken into account by the planning board. We also held a special meeting for representations of the objectors with the Head of Planning and Convener earlier this year, where we took the time to answer their queries and concerns."

Johnstone Tower Blocks

A DISTRAUGHT mum is begging the council to find her a new home after years of living in a freezing, bug-infested flat in a Johnstone housing block.

Caroline Smith says she is being forced to live in squalor with insects crawling accross her walls, cupboards, bathroom and bed in a flat with serious damp problems and concrete floors.

The 37-year-old says she is suffering from depression and hair loss because of the stress of living in her flat in Craigdonald Place and has been asking Renfrewshire Council for a transfer for the past three years.

Last year Craigdonald Place, where she has lived for five years, became the first place in Strathclyde where police had to use a tazor gun to arrest a man as well as being plagued by drug and theft issues.

Former nurse Caroline, who has been broken into three times, said: "It's been a nightmare. I was taking panic attacks and I'm on anti-depressants. I am losing my hair and I have got patches all over my head. I am scared to go out.

"I've been broken into three times once on mother's day last year when I was in the house and my door has been battered three times.

"The insects are in the cavaties in the walls. I've got insects in my bed and my bath. In the summer the kitchen is covered with bees. The health and environment guy has been out several times. He says he cannot stop this and the building needs to be pulled down.

"I don't think I can handle anymore of it. It is very very cold. The roof in the close collapsed so the rain pours in and there is bird droppings everywhere.

"I cannot sleep at night because of the break-ins. Craigdonald Place has been in the papers so many times I just don't understand why they won't move me. All I was asking for was a wee secure house where I can feel safe.

"I have had enough. A friend of mine was only six months and she was out and I have seen about three of them getting out. I'm at the end of my tether."

Caroline says that as well as making repeated pleas to the council she has also reqeusted help from local councillors and MPs without success.

She said: "If they don't do something I will go to a lawyer. I am just really tired of getting of going over it with the council."

Johnstone Town centre

Construction is now underway

A SUPERMARKET giant has revealed plans to transform a corner of Johnstone town centre with a uniquely designed building.

Lidl Scotland have confirmed designs for a new store on Johnstone High Street which show that the new structure will maintain the arches design of the existing premises.

The low-cost food outlet has also quashed rumours that flats will be built at the former Somerfield site.

Lidl Development executive, Douglas Marshall, said: "Public reaction so far has been very encouraging.

"We have worked with Renfrewshire Council on the design of the new store and believe that what we now propose can prove to be a popular, attractive new shopping location in the town.

"We want to ensure that the people of Johnstone are provided with quality, choice and, above all, value for money.

"This fresh new store can certainly offer local residents all three."

Lidl acquired the site from Somerfield earlier this year and, if planning permission is approved, the company say they will have their new store opened before Christmas.

But some residents feared the company had planned to allow the construction of houses on the location.

A barmaid who works near the site said: "I don't think it would be a good thing to build flats there but I hope that Lidl knock down the existing building and put up their own one fast as it has become a bit of an eyesore." Mr Marshall added: "We would like to thank the public and officers of the council for all their help with the preparation of the planning application and we will ensure that local people are kept up to date with developments.

"There will not be flats built on the site."

Schools in Paisley

STAFF, pupils, parents and councillors have joined in the official opening of Glencoats Primary in Ferguslie.


The opening of the £7.2m school marks the latest phase of Renfrewshire Council’s £100million PPP investment in education.


Glencoats Primary currently has 238 pupils and 40 staff led by head teacher Mary Taylor.


It was formed through the amalgamations of Craigielea and Ferguslie primary schools.


The new Glencoats Primary is a single storey building which contains 11 classrooms, three tutorial rooms, a study resource centre, an information and communications technology bay, a family resource area, dining hall and meeting rooms.


Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education Policy Board, said: “This impressive new facility will enable the school to deliver a wide range of educational and leisure opportunities and also build on the already strong links with the community.


“I’ve been impressed in the short period that Glencoats has been in existence how well it has formed its own distinct identity after having been created out of a merger between two schools.”


Mary Taylor, Head Teacher of Glencoats Primary, said: “Everyone involved with the school appreciates the quality of our new surroundings – both inside the building and in the grounds of the school.


“The school environment is bright and welcoming and helps foster a positive approach.


“The facilities we have now allow us to support a much more varied and stimulating curriculum and it’s great to see everyone enjoying how they can go about teaching and learning.”


David Broad, General Manager of Renfrewshire Schools Partnership, the company which delivers Renfrewshire’s PPP Programme, said: “Carillion Building is to be congratulated for the delivery of this project on timeand to budget.


"Designers with assistance from Renfrewshire Council have achieved a good environment for teaching and learning."


AMEY has been charged with maintaining the school to high standards of cleanliness and provide catering to healthy eating standards required by parents and the school so assisting with the pupil’s wellbeing.

Glasgow-based AS Group has purchased 50 acres of land on a key site near Glasgow airport, west of the St James Interchange off the M8 at Paisley, for a mixed use development.

Paul Kelly of AS Group comments:
”The St James Interchange site in Paisley has been earmarked by the council for mixed use and we are delighted that our housing company, A S Homes Ltd, will carry out the initial development of 100 new homes and that the leisure element of the scheme will be developed by our subsidiary leisure arm, “Pro-Soccer” for 5 a-side football.”

Property advisers DTZ and James Barr are retained by AS Group to develop the remainder of the land at St James Interchange for commercial/industrial use.

“There has already been several interests expressed in various parts of the site, from business and commercial to leisure and residential, and the acquisition by the AS Group will, in my view, enable many of these interests to be realised,” said DTZ’s industrial and logistics team director, Peter Bacchus.

AS Homes are currently building apartments in Paisley town centre at Met:zo in Rowan Street and have further residential developments in the pipeline for Renfrew, Glasgow and Dumbarton.

Source: AS Group
18 Oct 2007

:( i guess St James's Park as we know and love it is history.

http://www.carvill-group.com/sections/default.asp?secid=4_1&cms=Scotland%20Developments_current&cmsid=78_88&id=30

This looks quite interesting...

it does indeed. I like the style but it's so small. Id have preferred it to be part of a bigger complex rather than a stand alone block of flats. it would look much nicer and have more of an impact.

Paisley Arts Centre (http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/glasgow_news.htm)


Page&Park (http://www.pagepark.co.uk/) has recently completed a pre-feasibility study for Renfrewshire Council. The practice has drawn up plans for a new cultural centre in the town following a brief from the Public-Private Partnership ‘Paisley Vision’. The proposals entail refurbishing the existing Town Hall, Library and refurbishing and extending the Museum to provide improved cultural facilities, with the designs forming part of the wider regeneration strategy for Paisley Town Centre.

http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/jpgs/paisley_arts_centre_wh091208_1.jpg

why they are pedestrianising that part of the centre? it doesn't make any sense in terms of accessability.

i dont think so much annexing Braehead was a bad move. if Glasgow had kept the shopping centre, it's location would still draw consumers away from Paisley. At least, since Renfrewshire Council own Braehead, any profits from there can be put towards say creating the shopping experience that you so desire, Mr Bint ;)

i think they would play up the textile history a bit more if they hadnt demolished so many beautiful mills in the past 20 years

http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/images/684463.jpg

Renfrewshie Council dont own Braehead, it belongs to Capital Shopping Centres Plc.

NEW £5M POLICE STATION PLANNED FOR BRAEHEAD

http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/enews/images/Renfrew%20Police%20Station%20front%201.jpg

Strathclyde Police is investing £5m in a new police station to serve the fast-growing communities of Renfrew, Braehead, Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton, and Glasgow Airport.

The new state-of-the-art building will be sited on Station Road, within the award-winning Braehead and Renfrew Riverside mixed-used developments.

Extending to around 1500 square metres over two floors, it is contemporary in its design and has been designed to enable the delivery of a highly efficient, customer-focused policing service. It will feature the latest IT systems, and will integrate high energy efficiency and sustainable construction and maintenance throughout.

The new station will replace the Renfrew Police Office, currently located on Renfrew High Street. Built in 1910 the Grade B building is a prominent local landmark, however after nearly 100 years of service is no longer able to accommodate the needs of a modern police force. Construction is expected to start in the summer (of 2009) and will be completed in the autumn of 2010.

Chief Inspector Kevin Quinn, Deputy Sub Divisional Officer, Renfrew Police Office, said: “The site for the replacement office is located close to the town centre, and it will complement the regeneration of the local area, which will see Renfrew’s population expand significantly, in particular the area around the Riverside.

“Provisional plans for the inside of the new office highlight comfortable facilities for the public who may have to attend their local police office. The new Police Office will allow officers and members of police staff to operate from a purpose built facility that will see us well into the next century.”

Peter Beagley, General Manager of Braehead Shopping Centre added: “The new Police Station will be a major asset to Renfrewshire and we look forward to welcoming Strathclyde Police and their new facility to Braehead.”

What is happening in Paisley? The town centre has been limping along for years now though that might have now turned into a crawl. Do Renfrewshire council have a plan for huge chunks of town centre that have been turned into wasteland?

The old Arnotts building and grounds being the largest and in what must be Paisley's prime site have been empty for many years now but there does not even seem to be any rumours on what is to become of it? At least could someone knock down the two tenements on the Incle Street end, one of them has not had a roof for over 2 years great advertisement for Paisley for anyone passing on the train.

I do smile every time I pass the rubble where the concrete monstrosity of the old council building is though I fear its replacement will be a massive disappointment and will not do it's site justice, http://www.westpointhomes.net/future-developments/index.html the images don't fill me with hope :ohno:

Littlewoods old store, big, ugly chunk of building on the high street again empty for years, along with many smaller High Street stores. Further up across from the Uni the TA's building next to the wonderful looking Coats Memorial church, not sure if its still owned by the TA or not. Love Street is almost completely clear last I heard it was to be housing? On Renfrew road the old GX superbowl which was decapitated by xscape I've been told is to be yet another Tesco? Though not seen this confirmed anywhere.

Not the nicest way to introduce myself to the forum with a rant. Hi I'm Graeme, I stumbled across the site a few weeks ago and have been lurking since then. Cheers :cheers:.

Paisley has so much potential, lived there for four years, moving out just over four years ago. The refurb job on the town centre was excellent but of course doesn't make up for the empty properties. At least the town is pretty though. Still kinda miss it, though not the commute right accross the city via the kingston bridge!

What is happening in Paisley? The town centre has been limping along for years now though that might have now turned into a crawl. Do Renfrewshire council have a plan for huge chunks of town centre that have been turned into wasteland?

Their current plan is turn the town centre into a sort of outlet mall along the lines of Gretna Gateway.

NEW shops could be opening up in Paisley’s High Street if a radical initiative to attract retailers to the town is successful.

In a double-edged action plan, Renfrewshire Council has hired an international property company to market empty shops to the lucrative outlet stores sector.

The move follows the success of Marks & Spencer since it became an outlet store and saw a substantial increase in footfall....

Full story in the Paisley Daily Express (http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2010/06/29/government-minister-in-town-to-launch-high-street-initiative-87085-26743423/)

Gilmour street in for a freshen up

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2010/08/09/paisley-gilmour-street-station-set-for-9million-roof-revamp-87085-27013530/

Is that the beautiful Victorian one in Paisley? :dunno:

Aye they cleaned the stone work that over looks county square a while back, The roof does need work, its currently a mixture of corrugated plastic and metal which takes so much away from the original metal work which is also in need of some fresh paint, I don't have any of my own pictures but got this one from google http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/80/84/808446_c3824c25.jpg gives you an idea of how dark it is.

Arkleston Court in Gallowhill days are numbered, thankfully, just a shame they are not pulling the other two down with it. Reclad and refurb are planned for them :ohno:

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2010/09/25/high-rise-flats-to-be-demolished-87085-27336531/

Eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk (http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-and-government/council-information-performance-policy-statistics/council-general-information/newspage.htm)

Main Street Makeover Underway


http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/barrhead-main-street-artist.jpg
Artists' impression showing how Barrhead's Main Street will look once the regeneration project has been completed.

Work has started on the regeneration project for Main Street, Barrhead which will include a major facelift for the shopping centre.

The centre’s exterior is to be repainted and new windows installed throughout. For this the council secured £36,000 from the Government’s town centre regeneration fund. A further £24,000 private investment will come from the owners of Barrhead Shopping Centre, Barrhead Shopping Centre LLP.
A new ‘straight-through’ pedestrian crossing will replace the existing staggered crossing right at the heart of the main shopping centre.

This will allow quicker and easier movement between the two sides of the street, and will result in this section of Main Street being less car dominated.

But to make sure that visitors will continue to have direct access to the range of shops and for the benefit of local businesses, some on-street car parking bays will be created to encourage passing trade.

As with Cross Arthurlie Street, new, high quality paving stones will be introduced to improve the appearance of Main Street. The total cost of this work is just over £300,000.

It is anticipated the redevelopment programme will take around 10 weeks to complete, and is expected to be finished by December.

This work compliments other Town Centre Regeneration Fund work including the £40,000 canopy and lighting upgrade and also the £300,000 public realm improvements in Main Street.

Good news for customers is that the shopping centre has removed parking charges.

Economic development convener, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Thanks to our successful bid to the Scottish Government town centre regeneration fund, we have been able to make substantial improvements to Barrhead’s two main shopping areas.

“Cross Arthurlie is now complete after it’s £800,000 road and street improvements. Now it’s the turn of Main Street. At a time of real economic difficulty right across the country, investment in improving our shopping areas will be a real long term benefit to local businesses and residents.”

Just looked at Barrhead Shopping Centre on Google Maps. Pretty dire, so well worth some regenerating.

Still, one wonders how the likes of nearby Linwood are still - after many years - looking like third-world hellholes. Barrhead is like central Paris in comparison.

The roads are a complete mess and they spend money on shopping centre face-lifts. This set of priorities is starting to get into third world territory. The sad but funny thing is that roads in Pakistan, India or Vietnam are years ahead in quality compared toScotland's makeshift survival courses.

Well, I don't think poor roads will make or break an area's reputation. Poor buildings and a neglected urban environment certainly will.

Indeed, I think roads all across the UK are suffering a bit at the moment, considering the last two winters.

Gilmour Street roof renewal should start very soon.

Right on cue: :)

Network Rail engineers will begin work this month on a £9m project to create a fully-glazed roof covering all of the platforms and track at Paisley Gilmour Street station.

The new 4,740sqm roof will be installed in sections over the next nine months without disruption to train services and with minimal disruption to the operation of the B-listed station.

As part of the project, which is being carried out by C Spencer Ltd, the current platform canopies will be removed, the existing steelwork repaired and repainted and its foundations strengthened.

The scheme, which will be completed by Christmas 2011, will also involve the alteration of overhead power lines within the station and buildings on the platforms will also be repainted.

The roof will be installed in three sections with the initial phase of the works taking place above the east end of the station. In order to allow engineers to work safely while the station is open, decks will be installed between the roof and the platforms below.

The work at Gilmour Street will take place alongside the £170m Paisley Corridor Improvements (PCI) project which will upgrade the track and signalling on the busy rail corridor between Shields junction in Glasgow and Paisley Gilmour Street station.

Once complete, PCI will improve capacity on the route and allow for increased levels of service between Glasgow and Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. The PCI works are being funded by Transport Scotland and Network Rail and previous phases of the project have already delivered two new platforms at Glasgow Central station and a new freight loop at Elderslie.

Ron McAulay, Director Scotland for Network Rail, said: “With more than three million passengers a year, Paisley Gilmour Street is one of the busiest stations in Scotland. This project will help to ensure the station continues to be able to play an important role in the local economy, providing an improved facility for passengers.

“This station enhancement, combined with the ongoing Paisley Corridor Improvements project, demonstrates the rail industry’s commitment to providing the best possible services and facilities to the travelling public.”

Derek Barr, Project manager for Spencer, added: "We are extremely pleased to deliver a solution for the new roof which will allow people to go about their daily commute as we build the roof above them.

"I am sure that when the work is finished, the new look station will make a real impression on people visiting the area."


http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/polopoly_fs/12503719-1.1084715!image/4050682309.JPG_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/4050682309.JPG
I hope the don't forget the overhead lines, like the architect has.:lol:

Aerial view of completed roof (http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=4284)

Aerial view of current roof (http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=4283)

I have to say I'm exremely impressed. Gilmour street was long in need of this.

Work starts on new £13m student accommodation

Evening Times 18th May 2011

Work has begun on a new multi-million pound student residence in the heart of Paisley town centre.

The University of the West of Scotland’s new £13.2million student residences development in the heart of the town is one step closer following an official groundbreaking ceremony at the site where the new complex is to be built.

The development – which will be built on the site of the University’s Storie Street car park and will see the creation of 336 bed spaces – is expected to be completed in August 2012.

Clearance work of the site began in April. The project is part of the University’s £250m investment programme, which also includes a new £70m Ayr Campus and upgrade of classrooms and IT infrastructure across all campuses.

Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the university, said: “We are delighted that our new Paisley Campus residences development, which illustrates our deep commitment to providing the very best facilities for our students, is one step closer.

“The development of modern accommodation in the heart of Paisley is crucial to our ambitions to attract and retain more students.

“ And it is part of a wider investment programme to improve the quality of our estate across all four campuses.

“This new development will increase the significant contribution that the University makes to the local economy, greatly enhancing the centre of Paisley and bringing long-term benefits to the town.”

The new student accommodation will include bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and communal kitchen and living facilities provided for every cluster of six beds.

Plans also include a management suite, student lounge and laundry facilities.

A further £4.4m project for the refurbishment of some 160 University-owned flats at George Street and Lady Lane in Paisley is also being implemented during the summer to be ready for occupancy in September.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/work-starts-on-new-13m-student-accommodation-1.1102112

So glad these are being built here and not out at the existing complex on the way to barrhead, hopfully inject a bit of life into the town centre.

Well, I don't think poor roads will make or break an area's reputation. Poor buildings and a neglected urban environment certainly will.

Indeed, I think roads all across the UK are suffering a bit at the moment, considering the last two winters.

I completely agree but I think they should get the basics right first.

No-one's going to want to make the trip to the Piazza if it means a hefty repair bill afterwards or being rattled about on a bus like cattle on a lorry.

Plans for visitors centre at Paisley Abbey any one have further details? Architects said to be Simpson & Brown but nothing on their website. Info and Images from Paisley2020.org.

http://www.paisley2020.org/2020/paisleyabbey1.jpg
http://www.paisley2020.org/2020/paisleyabbey2.jpg

Oh dear God, no. A million times, no.

The little buildings attached to the Abbey are very pleasant, as are the cloisters. Covering them over with something that looks like a glorified cow-shed is surely too silly for anyone to even contemplate?

Fair enough, most of Paisley Abbey isn't all that old - it owes more to the Victorian Gothic Revival than anything in its mediaeval origins - but that's very little excuse for slapping something awful over it in the hope of attracting more visitors.

If they want a visitor's centre, there is a perfectly good bit of empty space opposite the abbey's main door, beside the town hall and with a nice outlook over the river. They could even build a balcony or something.

I could not agree more with quirillian...this is not only inappropriately sited, but looks very dated, very early nineties post-modernist.

a glass box a little distance away would be better....

I agree it should not become part of the Abbey building its self there is a few Graves directly accross from on the Abbey main door but plenty of space between them and bridge street where this could go adding so much more to the area and witha river view (though it would need a tidy up) than some dodgy addon to the original building.

Lagoon set for £7.2m wave of upgrades
Evening Times 21st September 2011


http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/polopoly_fs/pool1-1.1125040!image/377521895.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_300/377521895.jpg


A leisure centre swimming pool that has been at the heart of its community for almost a quarter of a century is to close for a massive revamp.

Paisley’s much-loved Lagoon Centre will close on Sunday as part of a £7.2million makeover.

The pool will re-open next April in time for the Easter holidays and the centre’s 25th anniversary with a new flume that promises to be faster and smoother than ever. Work will continue beyond the spring on a host of other improvements at the centre.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/lagoon-set-for-7-2m-wave-of-upgrades-1.1125036

£33k boost for historic fountain

Evening Times 4th January 2012

PLANS to restore a historic fountain in Paisley have received a £33,000 boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Renfrewshire Council’s Planning and Economic Development Service secured development funding of the cash for the first stage of restoring the Grand Fountain in Fountain Gardens.

The project aims to restore the A-listed fountain and raise awareness of its history.

It will also provide learning and training to improve local skills in traditional methods of working.

The lottery cash will fund an appraisal of the work required including interpreting the original rich heritage of the Victorian fountain.

Organisers hope a second application to the lottery fund will help secure more cash for the project.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren said: “The overall restoration of the Grand Fountain will cost in the region of £660,000.

“An application for a Historic Scotland Building Repair Grant for £100,000 was submitted by the council in September 2011, and we should know the outcome of this by early 2012.

“Renfrewshire Council has also committed financial support of nearly £20,000 to the project’s Fountain Gardens Endowment Fund.

“Many people in Paisley want to see the Grand Fountain restored to its former glory – but it has to be done properly, enhancing its heritage while providing it with a long-term, sustainable future.

“Hopefully we will now be able to go to the next stage: bidding for £500,000 to complete the restoration work.

“I look forward to seeing the Grand Fountain back in full working order as soon as possible.”

The Grand Fountain dates from 1868 and Historic Scotland has described it as “one of the most significant 19th-century, cast-iron ornamental spray fountains in Scotland”.

It was originally gifted to the people of Paisley by Victorian industrialist Thomas Coats and is a rare example of work made by George Smith & Company’s Sun Foundry in Glasgow and features four ‘walruses’.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/33k-boost-for-historic-fountain-1.1142268

Raising the £9m roof
Evening Times 26th January 2012

THE WORK at Gilmour Street is taking place alongside the £170million Paisley Corridor Improvements (PCI) project upgrading the track and signalling between Shields junction in Glasgow and Paisley Gilmour Street station.

Network Rail say PCI will improve capacity and allow for increased services between Glasgow and Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

The Paisley corridor, which is an important route for commuters and freight traffic and had a state of the art signalling system installed over the last 12 months, suffered severe disruption this winter. The final stretch of the line from Arkleston to Gilmour Street has been upgraded to four track for even greater flexibility, rail bosses say.

The PCI works have been funded by Transport Scotland and Network Rail and previous phases of the project have already delivered two new platforms at Glasgow Central station and a new freight loop at Elderslie.

Over Christmas 2011 the main track works on PCI were completed and the new signalling systems on the route commissioned.

A STUNNING new glass roof at one of Scotland’s busiest stations is slowly being revealed by engineers.

The £9million project to construct the roof at Paisley’s historic Gilmour Street Station is reaching completion, although most of it is still under wraps.

The new roof is expected to be finished by March.

That is later than the originally promised completion date of the end of December last year, but the project has faced delays because it had to overcome serious and unexpected construction obstacles.

When work started at the beginning of last year, engineers discovered the foundations of the listed Victorian station were much weaker than expected, and extensive strengthening work was needed to allow the building to take the weight of the new 4740sq m roof.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/raising-the-9m-roof-1.1145249

Was in Gilmour St station today. That roof sure makes a big difference. The place will be cracking once the decoration is done.

http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt145/best_bud/a27ea29e.jpg

I had to stop off in the station and wait for about half an hour recently on the to-Glasgow platform. It was 9pm on a weekday and the place was deserted. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to sit and it was utterly freezing.

The "waiting room" which existed had a number of metal chairs cordoned off for no good reason to stop access to a lift. The three that weren't cordoned off were exceptionally uncomfortable and the room was more or less open to the elements.

The place is still very much a building site - still lots of finishing to be done. Believe the decoration is about to commence soon (if not already). We're you not impressed with the roof though?

Half an hour for a train to Glasgow? Boy, that's seriously unlucky!

I had to stop off in the station and wait for about half an hour recently on the to-Glasgow platform. It was 9pm on a weekday and the place was deserted. There was nowhere to go, nowhere to sit and it was utterly freezing.

The "waiting room" which existed had a number of metal chairs cordoned off for no good reason to stop access to a lift. The three that weren't cordoned off were exceptionally uncomfortable and the room was more or less open to the elements.

Glad you enjoyed it :)

Does anyone know what is happening to the old great mills site at the bottom of Renfrew Road? Been a lot of work going on the last few weeks.

Does anyone know what is happening to the old great mills site at the bottom of Renfrew Road? Been a lot of work going on the last few weeks.

I really don't know Hommer but its starting to look a lot better! there was call ding starting to go on at the far right hand end this week and whilst its not exactly going to blow you away its far better than anything thats been there / around paisley before.

It looks although the unit has been broken down into 4 or 5 smaller units? maybe large retail units like the kind that are 1/2 a mile up the road at B & Q?

http://www.tesco-linwood.com/uploads/Linwood%20Aerial%20View.jpg

Visiting this part of the world is an increasingly bleak experience. Bleaker, even, than before the old bleakness was torn down and removed. At least then, change was inevitable and potentially exciting.

This is not exciting. This is low pay, unskilled, zero hour contract jobs for all and an opportunity to reimagine the town's identity - the town centre - declined in favour of a soul-sucking shed. Welcome to Tesco Linwood - a satellite town of Braehead Shopping Centre...

Here's the website:
http://www.tesco-linwood.com/update/progress_at_tesco_linwood/

Visiting this part of the world is an increasingly bleak experience. Bleaker, even, than before the old bleakness was torn down and removed. At least then, change was inevitable and potentially exciting.

This is not exciting. This is low pay, unskilled, zero hour contract jobs for all and an opportunity to reimagine the town's identity - the town centre - declined in favour of a soul-sucking shed. Welcome to Tesco Linwood - a satellite town of Braehead Shopping Centre...

Linwood is a hole. It's a settlement with no redeeming features whatsoever. Unfortunately as we do not seem willing to completely abandon towns, there's not a lot to be done other than supply a reasonable number of relatively poor jobs.

The problem is that change has never really happened. The car factory - which hardly ever turned a profit - left and nothing of note replaced it. There was certainly no excitement to be had.

Paisley office block set for student transformation

Urban Realm 27th August 2012

A derelict office block in Paisley is in line for refurbishment after FreshStart Living submitted plans for its conversion to new student accommodation with an end value of £7m.

Gilmour House, owned by NewRiver Retail, is a five storey mid-sixties office block located above the Piazza Shopping Centre. It is being redesigned by Greenock based Canata & Seggie who will subdivide existing office space to form 235 study bedrooms, 196 of which will be en-suites.

FreshStart Living specialise in repurposing redundant and under-valued office stock into affordable homes and student accommodation.

Greg Roberts, acquisitions manager at the firm, told Urban Realm: “Paisley is a great town with a fantastic heritage and we have been very impressed with the proactive support received from Renfrewshire Council.

“Gilmour House benefits from its proximity to the University of West of Scotland’s campus and its location in the town centre is a further bonus for students. Easy access to the public transport network, with both train and bus stations next door, makes this a very attractive place.”

Tom Johnston, president of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “I’m pleased that, after a number of years on the market, Gilmour House will have a new owner.

“Leaving it vacant is not beneficial to anyone and changing the use of derelict property to benefit the local community provides an efficient way of invigorating town centres.”

It is hoped that consent could be granted by the end of October and be ready for occupation in time for the 2013 academic year.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3702.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3702/Paisley_office_block_set_for_student_transformation.html

Seems to be a positive move. Along with the new flats overlooking the abbey, schemes like this will hopefully attract people into the town centre out of office hours.

Seems to be a positive move. Along with the new flats overlooking the abbey, schemes like this will hopefully attract people into the town centre out of office hours.

A fair point. Paisley town centre should theoretically be ideal for attracting people at all hours: concentrated centre, excellent transport links etc. Unlike most towns of a comparable size in Scotland, however, I can't think of even one particularly appealing spot for nightlife in Paisley.

Those flats overlooking the Abbey are depressing. Such an important site, such mediocre buildings.

Those flats overlooking the Abbey are depressing. Such an important site, such mediocre buildings.

I can just about live with the front elevation (albeit they are hardly inspiring) but the rear render is going to look pretty grim pretty quickly.

I can just about live with the front elevation (albeit they are hardly inspiring) but the rear render is going to look pretty grim pretty quickly.

I've not had the pleasure of viewing their rear-end. Oddly enough, I had a strange fascination for the old overgrown 1970s concrete jungle that used to lie in front of the council buildings. Whilst I've never been a fan of Brutalism and its derivatives as such, it's always held a strange appeal.

When I initially heard about the site becoming available I thought it was a spectacular opportunity to do something really special for a place which really should be the centrepiece of the county. Perhaps I was always going to be disappointed!

The council HQ recladding and renovation next door is, however, probably the best we could get whilst retaining the original structure, so fair play to the local authority on that.

Does anyone know what is happening to the old great mills site at the bottom of Renfrew Road? Been a lot of work going on the last few weeks.

Apparently its going to be a row of retail units, and BnM homestores is already confirmed as one of the tenants. Should be open by Christmas according to a local councillor.

BBC Pictures Of Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19589010

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/62891000/jpg/_62891749_paisley.jpg

'Paisley town hall under renovation...'

Photo by Brian McGuire

Johnstone civic hub work commences

Urban Realm 9th October 2012

Work to construct a new £14.5m town hall and civic hub for Johnstone has commenced with the demolition of an existing swimming pool in the town.

In its place Renfrewshire Council will build a library, theatre, marriage suite and community space as well as office space for consolidation of existing services.

Landscaping work including planting, paving and new street lighting would also be put in place around Ludovic Square in the vicinity of the hub.

Clad in stone with wooden interiors the development will house an inner ‘street’ from which various council service can be accessed.

Councillor Allan Noon, said: “This innovative proposal has the opportunity to transform Johnstone town centre.

“In addition to a new town hall, the civic hub will bring together a range of existing and new public services, making it a local point for the community.”

A planning application for the new civic hub is expected to be submitted later this month with completion pencilled in for December 2013.

Renfrewshire Council are conducting initial design work before handing over the baton to Holmes Miller.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3786.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_2411.jpg

^^

'This swimming pool is being demolished to make way for the scheme'

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3786/Johnstone_civic_hub_work_commences_.html

Linwood Sports Hub plans progress

Urban Realm 20th November 2012

Plans to erect a new sports hub in Linwood have hit a key milestone with the demolition of the town’s community centre, part of a wider plan to reconfigure the provision of local community services.

Linwood Community Sports Hub is costed at £19.6m and will contain an adult day care centre, three swimming pools, an eight court sports hall, studios, fitness suite, café, refurbished synthetic pitch and an upgraded athletics track and grass pitches.

Whilst welcoming the new facilities Jeanette Anderson, chairperson of the Linwood Community Development Trust, has voiced concern at the demolition of the old community centre.

Writing in the groups community action plan Anderson said: “Although the new Sports Hub was welcomed by the people of Linwood, they believed that fragmenting the 1000+ services-users of the existing Community Centre into the new Sports Hub and other venues throughout Linwood, would have a negative effect on the quality of life for hard-to-reach groups and would also breakdown the intergenerational work currently experienced.”

Designed by Cre8 Architecture and built by BAM the scheme has earned its contractors a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 92.5%, ranking it in the top 3% of 10,000 UK sites inspected each year.

The Sports Hub is due for completion in Spring 2013.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3866.jpg

Urban Realm (http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3866/Linwood_Sports_Hub_plans_progress.html)

I hope they link the sports centre to the near by cycle path, would be a missed opportunity if they don't.

Paisley bus station plans seems to be gathering momentum with backing mcgills buses MD and msp George Adam

http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-bus-station/

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/2012/10/04/bus-company-backs-paisley-station-plans-87085-31960761/

Linwood Sports Hub plans progress

Urban Realm 20th November 2012

Plans to erect a new sports hub in Linwood have hit a key milestone with the demolition of the town’s community centre, part of a wider plan to reconfigure the provision of local community services.

Linwood Community Sports Hub is costed at £19.6m and will contain an adult day care centre, three swimming pools, an eight court sports hall, studios, fitness suite, café, refurbished synthetic pitch and an upgraded athletics track and grass pitches.

Whilst welcoming the new facilities Jeanette Anderson, chairperson of the Linwood Community Development Trust, has voiced concern at the demolition of the old community centre.

Writing in the groups community action plan Anderson said: “Although the new Sports Hub was welcomed by the people of Linwood, they believed that fragmenting the 1000+ services-users of the existing Community Centre into the new Sports Hub and other venues throughout Linwood, would have a negative effect on the quality of life for hard-to-reach groups and would also breakdown the intergenerational work currently experienced.”

Designed by Cre8 Architecture and built by BAM the scheme has earned its contractors a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 92.5%, ranking it in the top 3% of 10,000 UK sites inspected each year.

The Sports Hub is due for completion in Spring 2013.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_3866.jpg

Urban Realm (http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3866/Linwood_Sports_Hub_plans_progress.html)

I'm currently one of the Engineers on this project so can submit some more progress photo's if you like, give you a feel for the place!

Welcome.

Please do. Looks like an interesting job. Does it have a swimming pool?

Paisley bus station plans seems to be gathering momentum with backing mcgills buses MD and msp George Adam

http://www.paisley.org.uk/paisley-bus-station/

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/2012/10/04/bus-company-backs-paisley-station-plans-87085-31960761/

A relatively sensible proposal, but I'd want to make sure that the link to County Square and - of course - the railway station was something slightly better than a very dodgy looking tunnel under a car park.

A new barrier entrance to the station would probably be expensive and wouldn't fix the integration with County Square etc. Possibly have a main exit facing on to the Piazza entrance, which can then be used to cut across to Gilmour Street... although that would require the Piazza to keep relatively late hours.

Welcome.

Please do. Looks like an interesting job. Does it have a swimming pool?

Yes, has a 25m Main pool along with a learner pool and leisure pool complete with flumes. In addition to this it also encompasses the following:

Small and Large dance studio's, fitness suite with adjoining spin studio, squash court and full size games hall.

Will upload photo's in next couple of days

C

Was up Linwood playing football on Saturday new complex is coming along well, looking forward to using it when it is finished.

Incle Street flats are now down finally removing the worst of Paisleys eyesore buildings, hope we see plans for the old Arnotts site soon.

Plan to 'de-pedestrianise' Paisley

BBC News 27th February 2013

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/66101000/jpg/_66101409_billymccrorie3082604_28f1eb83.jpg

A plan is being developed to allow cars to return to a pedestrian-only zone in the centre of Paisley.

It is hoped the move would help boost the local economy by allowing traffic outside shopping hours.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan described the proposal as the best of both worlds.

A previous proposal to allow cars back into the town centre was rejected after being put out to public consultation.

The new plan is being developed by the Paisley Vision Board, which is made up of the local council, the chamber of commerce, as well as local individuals and retailers.

The centre of Paisley was pedestrianised in 1997.

According to the The Local Data Company (LDC), which compiles statistics on high street shop vacancy rates, the city has more empty shops than anywhere else in Scotland.

Retailers in Paisley have struggled to compete against the draw of Glasgow's retail district as well as out-of-town centres such as nearby Braehead, which opened in 1999.

The previously rejected consultation on the town centre was launched in 2009, and offered residents a choice between maintaining the pedestrian-only streets, opening them up to cars again completely, or opening them to cars at various points in evenings and weekends.

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21602481)

This better be rejected again it would be a waste of time and money to bring traffic back to Paisley high street, all that's going to happen is the high street turns into a car park. The entire plan is pointless, people can be dropped of at either end of the high street already. Have we got to the stage where people are incapable of walking 25 yards to reach a shop? Some people in Paisley have blamed the pedestrianisation of the high street for shops closing since day 1 when the reality is, it is a country wide issue with out of town shopping centres taking the custom all High streets used to have. Paisleys role as a town has changed it is a now commuter town for Glasgow, if you want the town centre to be busy again build more accodation, we are getting there with the Cloisters development, and the new uni accommodation, the money that could be wasted on this would be better spent pushing along the development of the former Arnotts site and the former TA halls site, along with other smaller gap sites. If people live in the town centre they want/need shops/bars/restaurants on there doorstep. More people, higher requirement of local amenities, busier town.

Yup you're not far off the mark there Homer. Renfrewshire Council appear to be totally inept. Quelle surprise!

Some people in Paisley have blamed the pedestrianisation of the high street for shops closing since day 1...

I wonder which people said that? Army of boogeymen?

I wonder which people said that? Army of boogeymen?

Defensive much? No I'm not sure on the boogeymen's stance on reopening the high street to traffic. The high street was going downhill before the pedestrianisation. Braehead was the final nail in the coffin.

Bang on the money, Homer. If I recall correctly, a consultation proposing pretty much the same thing was voted down by the public about 3 years ago.

This is really symptomatic of small-town municipal thinking in the UK.

There are many many many creative levers they could use to bring some life to the street. Free rates for local craft businesses, enourage cafes or more respectable pubs/eateries - chrsist, anything to get a bit of new life to the street.

But no, they want to spend hundreds of thousands to rip up perfectly decent public realm so cars can park outside boarded up shops. Probably with no business case to justify doing so.

Cretins.

In fact, now i think of it, i;m sure UWS were doing some decent work in video-games and the creative industries. Why not hand the street over to young tech startups at peppercorn rates? Get some life down there and in turn businesses to support these companies will spring up too.

Or am I being hopelessly naive?

This is really symptomatic of small-town municipal thinking in the UK.

There are many many many creative levers they could use to bring some life to the street. Free rates for local craft businesses, enourage cafes or more respectable pubs/eateries - chrsist, anything to get a bit of new life to the street.

But no, they want to spend hundreds of thousands to rip up perfectly decent public realm so cars can park outside boarded up shops. Probably with no business case to justify doing so.

Cretins.

In fact, now i think of it, i;m sure UWS were doing some decent work in video-games and the creative industries. Why not hand the street over to young tech startups at peppercorn rates? Get some life down there and in turn businesses to support these companies will spring up too.

Or am I being hopelessly naive?

Due_East, or "Duey", these small councils do NOT care what kind of businesses are on their streets. They want companies that can pay the tax and rates and couldn't give a flying fuck if the companies made no other money besides that. A lot of these councils are struggling to keep newsagents and pubs open. They are utterly hopeless and without vision.

This is really symptomatic of small-town municipal thinking in the UK.

There are many many many creative levers they could use to bring some life to the street. Free rates for local craft businesses, enourage cafes or more respectable pubs/eateries - chrsist, anything to get a bit of new life to the street.

Is that point about business rates even legal? Given that rates are pretty much sent to Edinburgh to be redistributed, I would imagine that's completely outside of the council's hands.

As for encouraging cheerful cafes and gastropubs, I'm sure they would if they could. Short of saving these businesses a lot of money, which as I've said I don't think they can do, they've got no mechanism for that.

Bluntly, the reason that middle class eateries and boutique shops won't thrive in Paisley is because its middle class has either moved to the very outskirts of the town, avoiding the centre, or has left entirely.

If I were them, I'd try to improve the urban realm, which they are doing to some extent, in the hope of gradually driving up the quality of people and businesses there. Transport links with Glasgow should be seen as key, as should parking for drive-in shoppers. When there is building, it should be of a considerably higher standard than the Cloisters development - which is a completely missed opportunity to improve one of the potentially finest public spaces in the west of Scotland.

But no, they want to spend hundreds of thousands to rip up perfectly decent public realm so cars can park outside boarded up shops. Probably with no business case to justify doing so.

Who says they have to rip up anything? If I was going to reintroduce traffic, I'd leave it almost exactly as is. Unless there's some sort of serious problem with the roadsurface whereby it can't accommodate a reasonable amount of road traffic, I don't see any problems at all.

Due_East, or "Duey", these small councils do NOT care what kind of businesses are on their streets. They want companies that can pay the tax and rates and couldn't give a flying fuck if the companies made no other money besides that. A lot of these councils are struggling to keep newsagents and pubs open. They are utterly hopeless and without vision.

Business rates are surrendered to Edinburgh, which then redistributes them with no reference to how they are raised. There's no such direct tax advantage gleaned by local authorities for having shops or pubs open in their area.

Paisley Gilmour Street Railway Station

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0052_zps4b1b0d60.jpg

^^

The station is looking a great deal brighter since its makeover.

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0063_zps63e0c755.jpg

They should open up a cocktail bar on one of the platforms and put out some sun-loungers.

:cheers2:

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0056_zps5629f198.jpg

Love it.

~o0o~

http://www.michaeljamesbrown.com/images/exec/-9267%20tropical%20paradise%20(H).jpg

Platform 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21773923#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


Absolute fuckwits. Opening the high street to traffic to traffic between 16:30 and 10:30 pointless.

Absolutely mental. Looking at the quotes it appears to be a "hit 'n' hope" effort. No business case, no consultation, no information in the public domain... But we'll push it through anyway.

Even the "to help bars and restaurants" is bullshit as there are none on the high street.

Paisley Town Hall

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0084_zpscdacea15.jpg

They're doing a great job with this building. The stonework is looking really nice now.

~o0o~

Next door...

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0099_zpsedc4b92b.jpg

Paisley Abbey (and The Holy Spirit)

Fountain Gardens, Paisley

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0041-9_zps1fce10e2.jpg

^^

Glad to hear that funding is now in place (http://paisleyindependent.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/fountain-to-be-restored-by-january-2015/) to get this fountain restored.

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0006-5_zpsffd4f875.jpg

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0022-9_zps638d78b7.jpg

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0025-9_zps476dd549.jpg

'I am the walrus.'

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0033-6_zpsf64878d6.jpg

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0043-4_zps51546717.jpg

At long last we have good news about the Arnotts site, hoping for a good quality development not just some bland, cheap housing.

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2013/04/13/revealed-multi-million-pound-plans-for-development-of-historic-arnotts-site-87085-33163538/

At long last we have good news about the Arnotts site, hoping for a good quality development not just some bland, cheap housing.

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2013/04/13/revealed-multi-million-pound-plans-for-development-of-historic-arnotts-site-87085-33163538/

If that goes ahead, I will eat my hat.

If that goes ahead, I will eat my hat.

Phase 1 will go ahead I'm sure. It is Link social housing so it won't be anything extravagant, hopefully it will be akin to some of the new blocks in Govan or that one in Blockairn and hopefully no white render.

As for the rest of it......

Johnstone town hall works commence on site

Urban Realm 16th April 2013

Work to build a £14.5m town hall in Johnstone has advanced with Hub West Scotland and BAM Construction moving on site to demolish the existing town hall and library, ahead of a planned start on construction this autumn.

Designed by Renfrewshire Council and delivered by Holmes Miller the plans are somewhat revised from earlier designs following the conclusion of a public consultation exercise.

This sees greater emphasis placed on the use of natural stone, slate and timber together with public realm improvements to the neighbouring Ludovic Square, more references to Johnstone’s history and additional parking spaces.

The new town hall will still incorporate a replacement library as well as a theatre, marriage suite and café in addition to clustering council services such as housing and social work.

Strathclyde Police and MacMillan Cancer Support will also be based in the building when it opens its doors in spring 2015.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/news_4117.jpg

http://www.urbanrealm.com/images/news/newspic_2931.jpg

Urban Realm (http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/4117/Johnstone_town_hall_works_commence_on_site.html)

I see the little clock tower on the previous town hall design has disappeared. Replaced, it seems, with an aquarium tipped sideways and planted on top of a chimney...

For my part, I think some sort of decorate feature of that type tied the whole building together rather better. Even a flagpole or similar could potentially have some of the same impact without much extra expenditure.

Have to say I really quite like that. It is a good solid design that will age well. Just what Johnstone needs.

More of this please.

At long last we have good news about the Arnotts site, hoping for a good quality development not just some bland, cheap housing.

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/paisley-news/2013/04/13/revealed-multi-million-pound-plans-for-development-of-historic-arnotts-site-87085-33163538/

^^

Hope this comes about.

Humans are sorely needed around here.

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0055-3_zps864c3a55.jpg

~o0o~

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx330/Glaswegian13/DSC_0049-4_zps156f8736.jpg

^^

Good site: right across from the abbey.