A HOUSING developer has committed to building more than 40 affordable homes at a site in Renfrew after previously being criticised for not including any in initial plans.

Bellway Homes has lodged an application to erect 142 houses and 106 flats on land to the east of Clyde View Park, in Kings Inch Road.

The proposal was recommended for approval at a planning board meeting in January but council leader Iain Nicolson argued the local authority shouldn’t be accepting large applications which do not include plans for affordable homes.

Elected members postponed their decision to allow further discussions to take place between Bellway and the council.

Papers prepared for tomorrow’s meeting of the communities, housing and planning policy board, now indicate Bellway will commit to building 48 affordable properties, which equates to 19 per cent of the total homes at the site.

Council documents state: “In considering the range, mix and choice of homes in the immediate area, as well as the Renfrew Housing Market Area as a whole, the applicant engaged with the council and registered social landlords operating in the Renfrewshire area.

“In terms of the current Renfrewshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26, there is no capacity to fund affordable homes on this site.

“The applicant then considered other options to facilitate affordable homes. It has recently completed a site in Blackbyres Road, in Barrhead. This site contained intermediate affordable housing known as ‘Golden Share,’ which is low-cost, entry-level housing.

“It is considered this approach to providing new affordable homes on the site without the requirement for public funds to subsidise the build would be in line with the Proposed Renfrewshire Local Development Plan, Scottish Planning Policy and present a range and choice of homes on this site and area.

“The applicant will provide 48 affordable homes, 19 per cent of the overall homes for the site.”

Bellway intends to erect a mixture of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties alongside townhouses, with flats – which would have a maximum height of four storeys – planned to the north and south of the site.

The developer has said there will be incentives and opportunities offered to prospective purchasers to assist them with buying the properties.