Fury over new housing development for town

Angela Murphy 1581 - 1581 • Published 10 Dec 2008 12:30

ERSKINE residents are up in arms over plans for 96 new houses getting built in their town.

Members of the community council have expressed their concerns over building work by Bridgewater Housing Association.

The proposed site is an area of ground behind Rashielea Primary which is currently one of the few green spaces in the town.

But people in the town are worried that the surrounding wildlife will be at risk by clearing the ground in preparation for building. Angry community council chairman, Sam Coulter, blasted: 'No-one wants more houses in Erskine, including me.

'There are too many as it is and wildlife could be at risk if they build on this piece of land.

'We are struggling for green spaces as it is - when are they going to stop building?'

Local resident and Gazette columnist, Barbara Campbell is also against the proposal.

She said: 'When they built the houses in Erskine to begin with, the planners did not think about local amenities.

'We need more facilities, not more houses.'

The plan for Rashielea North would bring affordable rented accommodation to the area, after Bridgewater successfully applied to the Scottish Government for a grant.

And local councillor Iain Nicolson voiced his support for the plans. He said: 'Bridgewater housing had access to funding from the Scottish Government to develop social affordable housing.

'They identified an area of land to the rear of Rashielea Primary school which had already been identified and zoned for residential development in the council local plan.

'This site had been identified by Renfrewshire Council as a possible site for affordable rented housing and Bridgewater housing applied to buy it from the council.

'However, Councillor McQuade and myself had reservations about any access going past Rashielea primary school, the height of any buildings, the retention of major sections of trees and shrubs, and the provision or retention of play areas.

'These issues should be getting addressed through the planning process.

'But once a planning application is submitted it will then involve consultation with concerned parties including the community council.'

Bridgewater Housing Association was contacted but declined to comment.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 10 Dec 08

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