HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition in a bid to sink plans for a new housing development.

Planning permission is being sought by Miller Homes to create 233 homes on the University of the West of Scotland’s Thornly Park site, which lies near the border of Barrhead and the Glenburn area of Paisley.

However, Jennifer Reid has launched an online campaign which calls on council chiefs to reject the application, with more than 400 supporters backing her petition.

She fears the sprawling housing development would have a major impact on the area’s wildlife habitats and put strain on local services.

Jennifer said: “St Andrew’s Academy and other local schools are at capacity and Royal Alexandra Hospital services are already stretched.

“Local roads and infrastructure cannot cope with extra housing."

However, Miller Homes has defended its plans for the Thornly Park site.

A spokesperson said: “Thornly Park is a brownfield site which has been allocated for housing since 2014 to provide much-needed new homes within the area.

“We are aware of the petition, however we wish to reassure the local community that our plans for new homes on the campus will be well considered and take into account the feedback we received during our recent consultation event.

“As part of the planning application, we will also undertake a full ecology report and habitat survey to ensure any potential impact on wildlife is mitigated.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson confirmed it has received a ‘proposal of application’ notice from Miller Homes and the University of the West of Scotland for a housing development on the Thornly Park site.

The local authority said any future planning application would be considered “through the usual process” and the results of any public consultation would be considered as part of that.

Click here to view the online petition