Renfrewshire Local Development Plan Main Issues Report December 2011 Contents Contents .......................................................1 Foreword ...................................................... 2 1. The purpose of the MIR ...................... 3 2. Introduction .......................................... 4 3. Renfrewshire today .............................. 6 4. Renfrewshire’s Places ...........................7 5. Setting LDP objectives ........................ 8 6. Stimulating the local economy ........11 7. Housing .............................................. 21 8. Retailing and Town Centres ...............31 9. Environment ....................................... 41 10. Transport ............................................48 11. Place Analysis .....................................54 12. Next Steps .......................................... 74 Glossary ..................................................... 76 Main Issues Report | Renfrewshire Council | December 2011 | 1 | Foreword In 2006 Renfrewshire Council adopted the Renfrewshire Local Plan, its policy document that has directed and shaped development activity in the area ever since. Later that year new legislation was introduced by the Scottish Government that has brought forward a new development plan system to Scotland that hopes to be more open and visionary in its approach. I am pleased to introduce this Main Issues The Main Issues Report also seeks to develop Renfrewshire Council is ambitious for its Report as the first step in preparing a new what the vision established by the Glasgow communities. Despite difficult economic Local Development Plan for Renfrewshire. and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development circumstances it continues to invest in the The report reflects on what the Council sees Plan means for Renfrewshire and set infrastructure and services that support the as the major influences on the economy, this alongside the direction for the area area. Through this report and the plan to communities, environment and places within established by the Renfrewshire Community come I hope that it is demonstrated that Renfrewshire and sets out how it intends to Planning Partnership. What emerges is an Renfrewshire’s future to renew itself and tackle these issues. The responses received to approach that puts sustainable economic evolve is set on a firm basis. I encourage the report will be influential in framing the growth at its heart with significant support everyone to get involved with the Council in Local Development Plan which will emerge for the towns and their centres, for emerging helping to shape the future of the area. thereafter. It is therefore important that all economic sectors and for a well connected sectors of society, who have an interest in network of environmental assets. Councillor Iain Nicolson Renfrewshire as a place to invest, or to live, or Convenor to work, make a contribution at this stage. Renfrewshire Council Planning and Economic Development Policy Board | 2 | Main Issues Report | Renfrewshire Council | December 2011 |1| The purpose of the MIR The preparation of a Local Development Plan (LDP) is a legislative also be noted that the Community Plan assessments. At the end of each section will be revised at the same as the LDP is a set of questions relating to its requirement. The Main Issues Report (MIR) is a significant step towards the emerges. content. These questions are intended preparation of a new LDP for Renfrewshire. It is the principle opportunity to provide a framework for consultation 1.5 The MIR is supported by a number of in the preparation of the LDP to consult on the content of the plan that responses. Further comments can background documents. All of which however be made. will subsequently develop. The MIR therefore sets out Renfrewshire are available at the web site noted below. They include: 1.7 As its name suggests the MIR Council’s strategy for development in the area and particular proposals for concentrates on those issues of most where development should and should not occur. In order to encourage • A Monitoring Statement which significance to development in and reviews the performance of the an open consultation on these strategies and proposals the MIR presents of Renfrewshire. More minor issues Renfrewshire Local Plan of 2006 have been identified in the Monitoring alternatives to those that the Council favours. Thus all of the options that and the significant demographic, Statement, therefore within each were considered are presented in order for the Council’s preferences to be economic and social changes within section of the MIR cross reference is Renfrewshire since then. made to the Monitoring Statement and better understood. the issues that it considers. • An Environmental Report prepared in accordance with legislative 1.1 Following consultation on this MIR the with its development strategy being requirements2 for Strategic How to respond Council will produce a Proposed Plan. developed and delivered through the Environmental Assessment (SEA) This will be the Council’s final view on local development plans of the eight 1.8 Responses can be made via the to assess the environmental the content of the LDP. The Proposed local authorities1 in the area. The SDP Council’s consultation portal on the consequences of the strategies and Plan and any representations to it are Proposed Plan was published in June Planning and Building Standards page proposals highlighted in the MIR. submitted to Scottish Ministers and an 2011. at: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk This Report is also the subject of examination of the plan held before, statutory consultation. By email to: localplanconsultation@ and in light of the findings of that 1.3 Furthermore the LDP, starting with renfrewshire.gov.uk examination, the Council can adopt the this MIR, is prepared in support of the Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 – Using this document plan. Or in writing to: 2017. Director of Planning and Transport 1.2 The MIR is prepared in the context set 1.6 The MIR is written in sections and Renfrewshire Council by the emerging Glasgow and the Clyde 1.4 The Community Plan sets the vision focuses on the main issues identified Renfrewshire House Valley Strategic Development Plan. and objectives for the social, economic through consultation undertaken Cotton Street Renfrewshire is within the Glasgow and and environmental development of to date and the Council’s own Paisley PA1 1L the Clyde Valley city region for which Renfrewshire’s communities. The LDP will reflect the spatial and development a Strategic Development Plan (SDP) is The consultation period will close at aspects of these objectives. It should prepared (see Diagram 1). The SDP sets 5:00 pm, on Friday 24 February 2012. the long term vision for the city region 1 East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, 2 Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, 2005 Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire Councils. Main Issues Report | Renfrewshire Council | December 2011 | 3 | |2| Introduction The MIR is intended to be the main focus of consultation to inform the National policy context Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Strategic Development Plan development of the LDP. However considerable consultation has already 2.2 In addition to the legislative been undertaken supported by a range of technical appraisal work. requirements set out the Scottish 2.4 The Proposed Plan of the Glasgow and Government also produces planning The method for identifying the main issues discussed in this report are the Clyde Valley SDP was published the policy for Scotland. In 2010 the Scottish in June 2011 and covers the area shown summarised below. Planning Policy (SPP) was published in Diagram 1 below. This followed the which sets out a national policy publication of its MIR in September 2.1 Main issues have emerged through the up of this work was discussed and direction within which the LDP must 2010. The Proposed Plan sets out Council’s monitoring and evaluation confirmed at a Stakeholder Conference be prepared. A year earlier the second the strategic spatial vision for the work and through dialogue with key in May 2011. Further explanation of National Planning Framework (NPF2) city region up to 2035. This provides agencies and Council services, with this process and reports are contained was published setting out a number of the overall geographic framework the community of Renfrewshire and within the Monitoring Statement. key strategic development priorities at for development within which the with the development industry. This is an all Scotland level which again must Renfrewshire LDP will be formulated illustrated in Figure 1 below. The build be taken into account by the LDP. and within which planning applications will be assessed. It also provides to the The Development Plan public, investors and other stakeholders a clear planning approach to creating a 2.3 A new framework for the preparation long term sustainable future for the city Figure 1 Steps to the MIR of development plans across region. Scotland has been established. LDPs Diagram 1 Glasgow and the Clyde Valley replace the former Local Plans and SDP area are required across Scotland. The former requirement to also prepare Board Monitoring Community Main Issues Approval Structure Plans across Scotland has Statement Focus Groups Report (Oct 2010) been removed. Only in four areas, the city regions of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow are Strategic Development Plans (SDP) required. In these