A SHORTAGE of accessible housing is forcing people with disabilities to quit their communities as they search for somewhere suitable to live.

Marion Burns, who has cerebral palsy, is among those who are calling for an increase in this type of housing.

She had to leave Kilbarchan a decade ago and move to Paisley because there were no suitable properties in the village.

Marion, 34, has hit out after learning that planning permission was recently granted for a new development in the Milliken Park area, even though none of the homes will be accessible to those in wheelchairs.

She told The Gazette: “It has been difficult for me. I don’t know anyone in Paisley and it doesn’t feel like home.

“Due to not having full support, I have to travel back and forward to my mum’s in Kilbarchan and that isn’t easy.

“My case is not unique – there are a lot of people who have to move away from towns and villages in Renfrewshire to get accessible accommodation.

“When I heard about the new development in Kilbarchan, I hoped this might change. I’m really disappointed that it will have no accessible housing.”

Glasgow City Council recently pledged to ensure all housing developments, where possible, would have 10 per cent accessible properties, in line with recommendations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Renfrewshire Council has yet to sign up to this pledge but insists it makes every effort to support people who want to live in their own home.

A spokesperson added that the new development in Kilbarchan meets current accessibility criteria standards and could be adapted for wheelchair living.

However, Councillor Derek Bibby, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, wants more to be done to support people like Marion.

He said: “Young people with severe physical difficulties want to remain in their own communities and near their loved ones but their needs are overlooked when it comes to social housing development.”

Stephen Cruickshank, chairman of the Renfrewshire Access Panel, which supports those with accessibility needs, said cases like Marion’s are all too familiar.

He added: “One of the problems we have is that very few local authorities have signed up to a guarantee of 10 per cent of accessible housing.

“Obviously, we would like to see 10 per cent or better in Renfrewshire because the level of accessible housing is critical.

“There are so many people needing accessible housing and the need is going to get higher.”

Williamsburgh Housing Association, which is behind the new development in Kilbarchan, said it always considers accessible housing “where appropriate.”

John Livingstone, development manager, added: “Given the nature of the area for this particular development, with it being extremely hilly and not wheelchair friendly, we decided it was not appropriate.

“In other circumstances, we could have included accessible housing.”