A NEW retail hub with a Sainsbury’s store is set to open next year as the Dargavel Village development continues to take shape.

Developers have had a busy summer at the BAE Systems Bishopton site, where work started in 2012, and significant steps have been made on what is one of the largest brownfield regeneration programmes in the UK, with around 4,000 new homes set to be developed.

After plans for a Sainsbury’s store from Cumbrae Properties were passed during the summer, bosses say they are on course to see it open in spring 2019.

Work has begun on a new link road which will give access to the retail hub, which is set to include up to five other units and a car park.

And over the coming months, BAE will be looking to lodge plans for a new primary school on the site.

Jon Gettinby, programme manager, said: “We have made significant progress with the completion of major engineering works to enable the construction of more than 1,000 homes. We are delighted to see the new community evolve. In the coming months, our focus is on the start of the Sainsbury’s store and retail units, and the submission of the planning application for a new primary school.”

Elsewhere, the construction of a new M8 junction is on track and is set to open in spring 2020. During the next few months, Scottish Water and Scottish Power will be on site and bosses have warned they will be putting some temporary traffic lights in place on Greenock Road between Bishopton and the Red Smiddy roundabout.

Renfrewshire Council’s 80 new-build socially rented houses will begin to take shape soon. Two areas will be developed to create the modern accommodation, with the first of the homes due to be completed by mid-2019.

McCarthy and Stone has received planning permission for its retirement living complex of 49 apartments aimed at the over-55s.

Work is underway on expanding the car park for Bishopton train station, with developers preparing an area to the east of the current park-and-ride facility, installing lighting and a temporary surface.

This will provide around 100 additional spaces until the permanent second-phase car park is constructed. The temporary car park will be accessible from Craigton Drive in the next fortnight.