Sports stars of the future will be able to hone their skills in Inchinnan after Renfrewshire Council approved a Community Asset Transfer of the India Tyres playing fields.

Inchinnan Development Trust (IDT) will now take up a 50-year lease which will see it work in partnership with the local community and St Mirren Youth Football Club to transform the site.

Proposals include increasing the range of sports and activities on offer, rebuilding the pavilion to provide changing facilities, improving drainage and investigating the possibility of adding an astroturf pitch.

Lacey Lindsay, of IDT, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our application to Renfrewshire Council for a Community Asset Transfer.

“We are at the very beginning of a five-year plan to preserve and develop a place for communities to enjoy, thrive, grow and play.

"The development will bring opportunities, strengthen community and inspire partnership working.

“IDT is keen to involve anyone and everyone in the process, especially those who live closest to the fields, as everyone doing a little bit helps to achieve a lot.”

St Mirren YFC will continue to train and play at the playing fields as their home ground, with hundreds of youngsters set to benefit.

Stephen Mann, soccer school lead at St Mirren YFC, said: "I'd like to congratulate the Inchinnan Development Trust on securing the India Tyres playing fields as a community-use green space for local people and the wider population to enjoy for generations to come.

“We have been looking after ‘The Tyres’ since 2018, at the invitation of Inchinnan Community Council, and are determined this historic site can be developed into a field of dreams, where young people can dream of playing for Scotland in a World Cup and local people can learn about the history of the site, from its agricultural days to its aero engineering heritage and, for half a century or so, where tyres were manufactured.

“We are delighted to be part of this community partnership to regenerate a former sports ground into a modern facility and look forward to the challenge ahead in exploring the funding streams to make The Tyres into a field of dreams.”

Renfrewshire Council bought the playing fields last year with the aim of transferring ownership to a local organisation that would be able to use them to benefit the community, retain part of the area’s heritage and support healthier, more active lives.

Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of Renfrewshire’s infrastructure, land and environment policy board, said: “I’m delighted that this Community Asset Transfer was approved, as it will bring great benefit to the local people of Inchinnan and surrounding areas.

"Inchinnan Community Development Trust are a wonderful example of a community-led organisation making the difference for modernised spaces which serve recognised needs within the village communities.

“Working with the community to develop our green spaces and create opportunities for young people and adults to play sport and get active is something I’m passionate about and this is a fantastic example of what can be done when the council works together with local community groups and organisations.

“The proposals that are in place for the development of the playing fields are hugely exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing investment made in this green space over the coming years.”