Munitions factory redevelopment granted

Councillors in Renfrewshire, Scotland, have granted outline planning consent to the proposals by BAE Systems and Redrow Homes.

The site near Bishopton, which was formerly occupied by a Royal Ordnance Factory, will be transformed into hundreds of homes, a business park, a community woodland park and other community facilities.

A special meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s planning board voted in favour of the scheme, which will be one of the biggest developments ever to take place in the area.

The plans have been in the pipeline for several years, and fears over possible contamination of the site have been a major concern.

Councillor Iain Nicolson, convener of the planning board, said: “All the various economic, environmental, community impact and transport issues have been studied and consulted on in extensive detail.

“I know there has been much discussion on the issue of contamination.

“It should be pointed out that the independent report of an Examination in Public in 2007 found that ‘there is no contamination on the ROF site that raises issues of sufficient concern to preclude identifying Bishopton as a community growth area’.”

The council has also moved to reassure local residents that the remediation of the site will be monitored by the authorities.

It is hoped the development will fulfil a need for more housing, create thousands of jobs, drive business growth and boost the local economy.

It is expected to take 20 years to complete all the phases of the development.

Kate Martin