A FORMER MSP has claimed a proposed development in Kilbarchan will ‘kill off our village as we know it’.

Bruce McFee says approval of the Branscroft development at the edge of the village by Wallace Land Ltd would open the floodgates to further development which would spell the end of Kilbarchan as it currently exists.

Mr McFee, a former Renfrewshire councillor and ex depute convener of planning, said: “Be in no doubt, if Wallace Land succeed in the Branscroft development there will be a queue of further developers seeking to concrete over every inch of Kilbarchan, and it essentially will kill the character of the village as we know it.”

Colin Campbell, also a former SNP MSP, backed Mr McFee’s comments, adding: “As a village resident of over fifty years standing I am very concerned about the domino effect.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman confirmed the local authority have received a planning application.

He said: “The proposed development is in the Green Belt as defined in the Approved Renfrewshire Local Development Plan.

“A decision on the application will be made at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council in the next few months.

“The comments and objections received will be taken into consideration and detailed in the report to councillors.”

Objection forms can be obtained from the Old Library, Kilbarchan, or from Kilbarchan Community Council on kilbarchancommunitycouncil@yahoo.co.uk