A JOHNSTONE councillor is demanding action to transform two former school sites which are now an “eyesore.”

Labour man John Hood, who was recently re-elected to represent Johnstone South and Elderslie, is calling on Renfrewshire Council to clear derelict land at the old St David’s Primary and Cochrane Castle Primary campuses.

The buildings were demolished and replaced with a new joint campus in 2007.

It was hoped the vacant sites would be used for housing but this didn’t happen, leaving them to decay instead.

Councillor Hood said: “For too long now the people of Howwood Road have had to put up with this eyesore and it is long overdue that the council do something about it.

“I will work with the local community and officers of the council to bring about much-needed improvements to this area.

“People are getting frustrated seeing the site looking like a tip. We need to make it look better.

“I’ve spoken to Renfrewshire Council about the possibility of fixing things but nothing seems to be moving forward.”

In the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan, council chiefs have identified the sites as potential locations for new housing, as part of the Johnstone South West Community Growth Area.

A council spokesman said: “The downturn in the housing market has led to a delay in the redevelopment but we will continue to strive to generate interest in the area.

“The successful delivery of housing projects at nearby Fordbank and Spateston are encouraging signs of a more positive development market which we hope will give confidence to developers to invest in the site.

“The development of sites such as this by private developers will support our investment into affordable housing in the Johnstone area, providing the range and mix of accommodation required to meet the needs of existing and future residents.”