Minutes of meeting
Renfrewshire Council · 4 November 2025
Back to Planning and Climate Change Policy Board — 4 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Minute of Meeting Planning and Climate Change Policy Board Date Time Venue Tuesday, 04 November 2025 13:00 Council Chambers (Renfrewshire), Council Headquarters, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1AN Present: Councillor Jennifer Adam, Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Chris Gilmour, Councillor Neill Graham, Councillor Anne Hannigan, Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, Councillor Kenny MacLaren, Councillor Marie McGurk, Councillor John McNaughtan, Councillor Iain Nicolson, Councillor Jim Paterson, Councillor John Shaw, Councillor Ben Smith Chair Councillor Paterson, Convener, presided. In Attendance A Morrison, Head of Economy & Development, D Love, Chief Planning Officer, A Williamson, Strategy & Place Manager, K Dalrymple, Development Plans & Housing Strategy Team Leader, R Lee, Development Standards Manager, J Weir and F Knighton, both Senior Planning Officers, J McCafferty and C Murray, both Planning Officers, and A Brady and A McGlone, both Assistant Planning Officers (all Chief Executive’s); G McLaughlin, Head of Education (Strategy and Improvement) (Children’s Services); J Robertson, Sustainability Manager and D Leggett, Sustainability Lead Officer (Strategy) (both Environment, Housing & Infrastructure); and M Conaghan, Head of Corporate Governance, V Howie, Finance Business Partner, N Young, Managing Solicitor (Litigation & Advice), R Devine, Senior Committee Services Officer and J Barron, Committee Services Officer (all Finance & Resources). Webcasting of Meeting Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Convener intimated that this meeting of the Policy Board would be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's internet site.
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Apology Councillor Grady. Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting. 1 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring 2025/26 as at 19 September 2025 There was submitted a joint revenue and capital budget monitoring report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance & Resources for the period 1 April to 19 September 2025. The report intimated that the projected revenue outturn at 31 March 2026 for those services reporting to this Policy Board was an underspend position of £0.015 million (1.8%) against the revised budget for the year. The projected capital outturn at 31 March 2026 for projects reporting to the Board was a break even position. DECIDED: (a) That the projected revenue outturn underspend position of £0.015 million be noted; and (b) That the projected capital outturn break even position be noted. 2 Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting 2024/25 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Public Bodies Climate Change Reporting Duties 2024/25. To comply with the requirements of the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015 Renfrewshire Council required to prepare an Annual Report detailing progress in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was attached as Appendix 1 to the report and provided details on the Council’s emissions, activities, plans and strategies undertaken during 2024/25 in relation to climate change and adaptation; and priorities for the year ahead in relation to climate action. DECIDED: (a) That the Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties report 2024/25, a copy of which was appended to the report, be approved; and (b) That it be noted that the report would be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 November 2025.
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3 Development Plan Update There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive which provided an update in respect of development planning activity and sought approval of the 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement, which set out the timetable for preparing the new Local Development Plan (LDP3) and how stakeholders would be involved in its preparation. DECIDED: That the 2025 Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved. 4 Renfrewshire Council Play Sufficiency Assessment There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Renfrewshire Council Play Sufficiency Assessment. The Play Sufficiency Assessment, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, assessed play opportunities in Renfrewshire with regard to quantity, quality and accessibility and considered the results of a consultation, undertaken by the Council, on play opportunities. DECIDED: (a) That the Play Sufficiency Assessment, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and (b) That it be noted that following approval, the Play Sufficiency Assessment would be used to inform the preparation of the new Local Development Plan (LDP3). 5 Planning Appeals There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to planning and other relevant appeals which were currently under consideration by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) and appeal decisions which had been issued by the DPEA in the previous 12-month period. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that there were currently no live appeals under consideration by the DPEA in respect of sites within Renfrewshire; and (b) That the decisions issued by the DPEA in respect of recent appeals for development proposals within Renfrewshire be noted. 6 Permitted Development Rights - Consultation There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the consultation exercise undertaken by the Scottish Government in respect of Permitted Development Rights. The report advised that the Scottish Government had recently published a consultation paper seeking views on a potential review of certain categories of permitted development rights. The response prepared by Council officers, in liaison
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with the Convener, and submitted on behalf of the Council prior to the submission deadline was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. DECIDED: (a) That it be noted that the Scottish Government had published a consultation document on the review of permitted development rights and sought comments on proposed changes from interested parties; and (b) That it be noted that the consultation paper had been reviewed and a response prepared by Council officers, following liaison with the Convener, prior to the submission deadline. 7 Section 75 Agreements - Update There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to Section 75 Agreements. The report detailed various agreements which were currently being negotiated by officers following a decision being taken by the Policy Board in relation to the respective planning application. DECIDED: That the ongoing negotiations taking place in respect of planning obligations which would be secured by a Section 75 agreement, in accordance with Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, be noted. 8 Service Standards - Planning There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to Service Standards as they applied to the Planning Service. Appendix 1 to the report outlined the Service Standards as they applied to both the Development Standards and Strategy and Place Teams. DECIDED: That the Service Standards outlined in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed. 9 Planning Applications There were submitted reports by the Chief Planning Officer relative to the following applications for planning permission that required to be determined by the Board. (a) 25/0059/PP - Erection of 8 holiday cottages with associated landscaping and infrastructure works at site 350 meters northeast of Fodstone Farm, Kilmacolm Road, Bridge of Weir by Mr Douglas Lyle. Councillor Shaw indicated that he was of the view that the application should be granted, outlining the main reasons for adopting this position. Councillor Paterson, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, moved that the application be refused for the reasons outlined in the report. Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig moved as an amendment that the application be granted, as it complied with Policies 8, 29 and 30 of NPF4 and Policies ENV1 and E4 of the Local Development Plan and supported farm
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diversification and the rural economy, subject to the delegation of authority to the Chief Planning Officer to formulate suitable conditions and/or a legal agreement, as appropriate, including specific planning conditions relating to road safety to secure road safety aspects, access to and from the site and improvements to off-site footpaths to the satisfaction of the Roads Authority. On the roll being called, the following members voted for the motion: Councillors Ann- Dowling, Hannigan, McGurk, Nicolson, Paterson and Smith. The following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Adam, Andy Doig, Gilmour, N Graham, MacFarlane, K MacLaren, McNaughtan and Shaw. 6 members having voted for motion and 8 members having voted for the amendment, the amendment was accordingly declared carried. DECIDED: That the application be granted, as it complied with Policies 8, 29 and 30 of NPF4 and Policies ENV1 and E4 of the Local Development Plan and supported farm diversification and the rural economy, subject to the delegation of authority to the Chief Planning Officer to formulate suitable conditions and/or a legal agreement, as appropriate, including specific planning conditions relating to road safety to secure road safety aspects, access to and from the site and improvements to off-site footpaths to the satisfaction of the Roads Authority. (b) 22/0481/PP - Erection of residential development comprising 64 dwellings with associated road and drainage infrastructure at Former St Brendans Social and Recreation Club, Stirling Drive Linwood by McTaggart Construction In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson moved that the planning application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. (c) 25/0365/PP - Change of use of land and proposed expansion of van and sales centre (Sui Generis), with associated shed for use as workshop, office and welfare facilities, siting of containers for use as storage (Class 6),installation of prefabricated units for business use (Class 4) and associated access, hardstanding, SuDS basin and landscaping at 4 Linwood Road, Paisley, PA1 2TN by Classic Land and Property Ltd The Convener advised that confirmation had been received from the applicant, following the issue of the agenda, that the application had been withdrawn and would not be considered by the Policy Board. (d) 25/0510/PP - Erection of new-build 3 storey Teaching Annex Building and 2 storey P.E. Annex Building, single-storey Dining Extension to existing School building courtyard. Associated landscape works including canopy over amphitheatre steps, canopy to external courtyard dining area and seating. Alteration and extension of bus parking area and car parking. New electrical substation with GRP enclosure adjacent to existing Energy Centre at Renfrewshire Council, Main Building, Park Mains High School
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F Knighton, Senior Planner, delivered a presentation relative to the proposal. In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson moved that the planning application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. (e) 25/0405/LB - Demolition of listed building at Speirsfield House Residential Home, 34 Stevenson Street, Paisley by Mr Lakhbir Sidhu J McCafferty, Planner, delivered a presentation relative to the proposal. In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. (f) 25/0643/PP - Treeworks comprising of crown reduction of 5 trees, removal of 2 trees and associated maintenance works at Ground Between Normandy Hotel and Blythswood Industrial Estate, West Lodge Road, Renfrew by Mr Ewan Mackay J McCafferty, Planner, delivered a presentation relative to the proposal. Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Paterson moved that consideration of the application be continued to a future meeting of this Policy Board to facilitate engagement, by the applicant, with the local community regarding the proposal and the submission of further independent reports/surveys/information relating to the application. This was agreed unanimously. DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued to a future meeting of this Policy Board to facilitate engagement, by the applicant, with the local community regarding the proposal and the submission of further independent reports/surveys/information relating to the application. (g) 25/0724/PP - Demolition of single storey commercial units and redevelopment of yard to form a single storey office and storage facility with associated access, parking and fencing at 108 Hawkhead Road, Paisley, PA2 7BA by Mr Greg Chalmers Lambert + Son Properties Ltd J McCafferty, Planner, delivered a presentation relative to the proposal. Councillor McNaughtan indicated that he was of the view that the application should be refused, outlining the main reasons for adopting this position. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2.30 pm and reconvened at 2.35 pm.
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Councillor N Graham, seconded by Councillor Ann-Dowling, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. Councillor McNaughtan, seconded by Councillor Kenny MacLaren, moved as an amendment that the application be refused as the development was contrary to Policy P1 of the Local Development Plan, the new Development Supplementary Guidance on Creating Places and Policies 14 and 26 of NPF4 in that the proposal, by way of its intensification of use, height, proximity to boundaries and window placement would not be compatible with the existing built environment and would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the surrounding residential area. On the roll being called, the following members voted for the motion: Councillors Ann- Dowling and N Graham. The following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Adam, Andy Doig, Gilmour, Hannigan, MacFarlane, K MacLaren, McGurk, McNaughtan, Nicolson, Paterson, Shaw and Smith. 2 members having voted for motion and 12 members having voted for the amendment, the amendment was accordingly declared carried. DECIDED: That the application be refused as the development was contrary to Policy P1 of the Local Development Plan, the new Development Supplementary Guidance on Creating Places and Policies 14 and 26 of NPF4 in that the proposal, by way of its intensification of use, height, proximity to boundaries and window placement would not be compatible with the existing built environment and would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the surrounding residential area.