VILLAGERS have asked council chiefs for clarity over proposals to build nearly 60 homes on a greenbelt site.

Cala Homes (West) and Acorn Property Group are set to submit plans to Renfrewshire Council to transform Manse Field, in Houston.

The proposals are contained in the Local Development Plan (LDP), which is due to be considered by an independent Reporter appointed by the Scottish Government.

If the Reporter gives the green light to changing the status of the field, it would pave the way for 57 homes to be built to the south-east of Woodend House.

However, villagers have claimed the council’s planning chief previously told them there were no plans to build on the site.

Also contained within the LDP are plans to build up to 10 homes in nearby Manse Crescent, which is not a greenbelt site.

READ MORE: Views sought as development for 57 new homes in Houston takes step forward

A spokesperson for Houston Community Council claimed more than 200 objections have been submitted from the village against the LDP in relation to the two developments. 

In total, 181 objections have been submitted but only 29 of these have been against the CALA Homes (West) development. 

“This would indicate a considerable level of concern within the village over this proposal, together with the proposal to release the land known as Manse Field for development,” the spokesperson told The Gazette

“We would therefore like Renfrewshire Council to explain why they are proposing to release this land for development when Mr Fraser Carlin, head of housing and planning, told the February meeting of Renfrewshire Community Council Forum that Renfrewshire Council did not build on greenbelt land.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The proposed Renfrewshire Local Development Plan was agreed at the Communities, Housing and Planning Board in March and a 12-week consultation period was undertaken, during which time comments and representations from the public, key agencies and private organisations were sought.

“As part of the proposed plan, an area of council-owned land has been identified for 10 self-build housing plots at Manse Crescent and we are aware of representations made around the potential development.

“A further site at Woodend House has been identified as being suitable for housing and a range of factors were taken into consideration, including transportation, before its inclusion in the proposed plan.

“The plan, along with the supporting documentation and all representations, will now be submitted to the Scottish Government, who will identify an independent Reporter to carry out an examination.”

Andrew Duncan, land director at CALA Homes (West), said: “The site has recently been allocated for housing within the Renfrewshire Proposed Local Development Plan. If our plans were to be approved, we’d be able to deliver high-quality homes, including much-needed affordable housing options in the area.

“We believe this would be a vibrant addition to the neighbourhood and help address the shortage of homes in Houston as demand rises.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond