Hundreds of objections pour in over plans for dozens of homes in Bridge of Weir

James (Glasgow) Ltd – which lists Rangers hero Ally McCoist as a director – requests permission for Thriplee Road development.

Hundreds of objections have been submitted over a company's plans for dozens of homes on a plot of land in Bridge of Weir.

James (Glasgow) Ltd – which lists Rangers hero Ally McCoist and Jeffrey East as directors – has requested planning permission for a development at Thriplee Road.

The blueprint consisting of 23 flats and 15 houses has sparked an influx of written concerns from residents since it landed with Renfrewshire Council in the summer. They range from worries about an increase in traffic and pressure on infrastructure to the impact on education and medical services.

Councillor James MacLaren, a Conservative representative for the village, said he could understand the strength of feeling that surrounds the proposal. He added: "I think transport infrastructure needs to be vastly improved before we can go ahead and build more housing developments in places like Bridge of Weir.

"Traffic is just going to build up. It's not going to be able to move around. We already have problems at rush hour in the village in Main Street. Schools are at capacity, the doctor's surgery is at capacity and it's sometimes impossible to get parked in the village to do any shopping.

"We seem to be quite keen to build more houses but there's not very much done to improve the transport infrastructure. It's already a bottle neck at the bottom of Prieston Road at the moment and it's only going to get a whole lot worse with another housing development."

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If given the green light, the development would consist of 23 flats split into three blocks, nine detached houses and six semi-detached houses.

A design, access and sustainability statement, prepared by architects Stewart Associates, explained the philosophy behind the planned project.

It said: "A contemporary yet cohesive design strategy has been adopted resulting in a variety of house and flat types that relate to the site topography and wider village context.

"The natural contours of the site have helped inform the design with a principle adopted of limiting site engineering works where practicable.

"The development uses established townscape principles with the balance between built development and open space carefully considered."

But objections have flooded into the local authority since August. One said: "It is already a challenge to secure a dentist or dental appointment or to be seen by a GP or nurse at the local surgery within a reasonable timeframe. Adding 38 additional households to the village, without expanding the health services, will mean even longer delays for an appointment."

Some have backed the plans, however, with another saying: "Our village is in need of inward investment to help protect/secure the future of local business and for them to continue the vital part they play in providing local employment. The sustainable development will enhance the current area and attract more people to our village."

McInally Associates, the applicant's agent, said in a planning statement the application is "capable of positive consideration" in relation to relevant policy in the local development plan. It has been contacted for comment.

The application is expected to go before the planning and climate change policy board for consideration in due course.

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