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Daily Record
05-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Lochwinnoch residents and visitors encouraged to contribute to Renfrewshire Council heritage project consultation
Renfrewshire Council has encouraged people to participate in the consultation which will close on July 11. Lochwinnoch residents and visitors have until next Friday to share their views on a proposal for an ambitious heritage-leg regeneration project within the village's conservation area. Renfrewshire Council has encouraged people to participate in the consultation, which has been canvassing opinion since the start of last month and will close on July 11. A statement said: "We're applying to the National Lottery heritage fund and Historic Environment Scotland for funding to develop a proposal for a heritage-led regeneration project within the Lochwinnoch conservation area. "If we get funding, this initial project will look at investing in Lochwinnoch's built heritage and historical buildings [and] creating a plan to promote the history of the village. "To help with our application for funding, we want to understand how local people and visitors value Lochwinnoch's heritage and what they think of the village centre, its amenities, attractions, shops and things to do there." The idea, which has been dubbed the 'Cornerstones Project', was considered at the local authority's economy and regeneration policy board in May. A report to the board explained: "The centre of Lochwinnoch was developed in the 18th Century as a planned expansion of the older village, organised around three primary axes. "Cornerstones seeks to revitalise Lochwinnoch's streetscape and economy by focusing investment within the conservation area where these axes meet. "Repair grants will help preserve Lochwinnoch's historic built environment; a parallel programme of community engagement activities will emphasise the value of the village's heritage, raise awareness of its unique history, and develop local expertise around traditional building skills." The scheme area encompasses the central section of the Main Street/High Street axis and its junction with the Calder Street/Church Street axis; the southeast section of the Calder Street/Church Street axis as far as the south corner of Harvey Square; and the southwest section of the Harvey Terrace/Gates Road axis which terminates with Lochwinnoch Parish Church on Church Street. The deadline for submitting applications for the initial development phase is August 6. If they are successful, this year-long phase will start in June 2026 and conclude in May 2027 with the submission of delivery phase applications to both funders. If those latter applications are successful, it is anticipated the full Cornerstones project would run from April 2028 for five years. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for the village, said at the meeting: "When it's something like this which deals with heritage, you want to really take villages along with you. "I think that takes a wee bit longer to get groups in place for the proper liaison to take place as well ... I'm delighted that the officers have realised that there is life outside Paisley in a heritage sense. "It would be a massive boost for the conservation area in Lochwinnoch." For more information and to contribute to the consultation, visit here.
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Appeal lodged against Renfrewshire Council's decision to refuse plans for service station in Lochwinnoch
The proposal for a pit stop on land adjacent to the A737 and Roadhead Roundabout was rejected in March. An appeal has been lodged against Renfrewshire Council's decision to refuse plans for a roadside services next to a roundabout in Lochwinnoch. The proposal for a pit stop – consisting of a petrol station, electric vehicle charging points and a coffee shop – on land adjacent to the A737 and Roadhead Roundabout was rejected in March. Elected members agreed with a recommendation from the chief planning officer to turn down an application for planning permission at a meeting of the planning and climate change policy board. But Ferguson Planning, working on behalf of EG on the Move, has now challenged the ruling to the Scottish Government, arguing the project would comply with the relevant policies of the development plan. A statement said: "The proposal is for essential infrastructure that is required within this green belt location due to the need to be located on the strategic road network. "The proposed development is of an appropriate scale for a facility of this type and would not have a significant visual impact on the green belt. "The proposed development would primarily serve the existing traffic on the A737 and seeks to support the greater provision of electric vehicle charging facilities, supporting the transition to electric vehicles as part of a net-zero economy. "The proposed development is accessible by a range of sustainable transport modes, has safe walking, wheeling and cycling connections to and from Lochwinnoch, which can be improved through developer contributions if necessary and proportionate. "The proposal is, therefore, considered in accordance with the relevant adopted policies of the statutory development plan and supported by other material considerations. "Scottish ministers are respectfully requested to allow the appeal and grant planning permission." The council previously outlined the reasons for its decision, including that it was not demonstrated the proposal was an "acceptable green belt use" or that there were safe walking, wheeling and cycle connections to and from the site. Additionally, it was argued the location and scale of the development would increase dependency on car travel, which was deemed contrary to policy seeking to address the climate emergency through a spatial strategy that helps cut emissions. In its response to the appeal last month, the council added: "The content of the council's report of handling and the subsequent reasons for refusal as set out in both the report and decision notice remain the council's position on the application and from review, it is not considered that the information and case presented as part of this appeal (including any new and additional supporting information) changes this position in any way." A letter was also sent by Lochwinnoch councillors Andy Doig, Chris Gilmour, Gillian Graham and Emma Rodden to the Scottish Government last week, setting out their opposition to the appeal. It said: "The site under consideration is green belt and development of a filling station, with associated amenities, would increase traffic on a part of the A737 whose infrastructure is sub-standard. This would undermine steps towards a just transition. "In terms of local living, the nearby village of Lochwinnoch is a conservation village with a thriving independent retail sector that lends itself to local living. "Local people can already access a range of local services and do not need corporate branded outlets that sell ultra-processed food. "To allow a filling station and associated amenities at this site would militate against the core principle of rebalanced development. "Contrary to what the applicants say there are other petrol outlets between Johnstone and Beith and with over 60 objectors to the application there is no local demand." A reporter has been appointed to determine the appeal and the planning and environmental appeals division has confirmed a target date of August 28.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire Council prepares funding bids which could unlock regeneration of Lochwinnoch
Officials will submit applications to Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery for ambitious 'Cornerstones Project'. Renfrewshire Council is preparing funding bids which could unlock a significant regeneration of the centre of Lochwinnoch through investment in its heritage and promotion of its history. Senior officials will submit applications for finance to Historic Environment Scotland and National Lottery for an ambitious 'Cornerstones Project' after they were given the green light by elected members. The move was approved by councillors at a meeting of the local authority's economy and regeneration policy board on Tuesday morning. A report, which was discussed at the summit, explained: "The centre of Lochwinnoch was developed in the 18th century as a planned expansion of the older village, organised around three primary axes. "Cornerstones seeks to revitalise Lochwinnoch's streetscape and economy by focusing investment within the conservation area where these axes meet. "Repair grants will help preserve Lochwinnoch's historic built environment; a parallel programme of community engagement activities will emphasise the value of the village's heritage, raise awareness of its unique history, and develop local expertise around traditional building skills." The scheme area encompasses the central section of the Main Street/High Street axis and its junction with the Calder Street/Church Street axis; the southeast section of the Calder Street/Church Street axis as far as the south corner of Harvey Square; and the southwest section of the Harvey Terrace/Gates Road axis which terminates with Lochwinnoch Parish Church on Church Street. The deadline for submitting applications for the initial development phase is August 6. If they are successful, this year-long phase will start in June 2026 and conclude in May 2027 with the submission of delivery phase applications to both funders. If those latter applications are successful, it is anticipated the full Cornerstones Project would run from April 2028 for five years. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Lochwinnoch, said: "When it's something like this which deals with heritage, you want to really take villages along with you. "I think that takes a wee bit longer to get groups in place for the proper liaison to take place as is an excellent paper, it really is. "I'm delighted that the officers have realised that there is life outside Paisley in a heritage sense. It would be a massive boost for the conservation area in Lochwinnoch." The veteran politician added: "It's an excellent piece of work here and everybody, I think, would be hoping we get this funding."
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Return of popular Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards amid councillor's plea
Councillor Andy Doig issued a call to reinstate the popular parade of the vintage engines at last week's full council meeting. A return of the much-loved Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards as Renfrewshire Council develops a calendar of cultural events for its town centres. Councillor Andy Doig delivered a plea to reinstate the popular parade of the vintage engines from the fire station to Houstoun Square at last week's full council meeting. The independent politician received the unanimous support of elected members in the chambers for his motion on Thursday. The call was issued amid a suggestion the hot topic may already be under consideration by the local authority as part of a £150,000 budget investment. Councillor Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, explained why he is so eager to see the re-emergence of the rally which ran in the town from 2014 until 2019. He told the Paisley Daily Express: "I wanted to make it clear there was a feeling among the community and among the traders that it would be a good thing to bring it back. "For a number of years, right up until Covid, it was an extremely successful event because what they did was the fire tenders would meet at the fire station in Johnstone and they would come down to Houstoun Square. "It was a big event and people could see them coming down then go to the square. "It was magic. There would always be a bit of a buzz about the place and the traders would really benefit. Youngsters would have the opportunity to climb on board the various emergency vehicles and see how they had transformed over the years. Councillor Doig added: "It was a great event for families because the kids loved it. It was always very popular with the children of Johnstone." The veteran politician's motion, which was agreed at the meeting without a hitch, asked the local authority to recognise the "success and popularity" of the rally for both retailers and the community alike in the past. It added: "Council instructs the council's events team to liaise with the Fire Brigades Union and calls for the reinstatement of the Johnstone Fire Engine Rally as soon as possible."
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Community councils need education on rules they are operating under, says councillor
Councillor Andy Doig believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood. Community council members in Renfrewshire need greater education on the rules under which the groups are operating, a veteran politician has admitted. Councillor Andy Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, believes recent events suggest certain aspects of the regulations are not widely understood. Reflecting on sagas in Renfrew and Ferguslie, the elected member is concerned there is a "lack of knowledge" over the ins and outs of a rulebook known as the scheme for the establishment of community councils. In particular, he has pointed to the directive that the bodies should be non-party political – insisting they should instead focus on "civic issues" within their communities. Councillor Doig said: "I want to say at the outset that the vast majority of community councils operate really well. There are some community councils within my own ward that are first class, they're excellent. "They're committed to the community, they're full of volunteers who have expertise in other fields of life, other professions, that they bring to the table and they work effectively for their communities. "But I think it's clear from recent events in Renfrew and Ferguslie there seems to be a lack of knowledge about the fact that community councils themselves are meant to be very strictly non-party political. "When they start to enter into the realm of making political commentary or trying to promote or push certain political lines, they're really acting ultra vires and outwith their capacity. "They're actually breaching the laws under which community councils are established." It comes following the brief suspension of Renfrew Community Council earlier this year after it landed itself in hot water over a series of comments from members on social media. In addition to that episode, a former chair of Ferguslie Community Council resigned after taking aim at Renfrewshire Council and its administration on Facebook. Asked if there was a need for greater education on the rules, Councillor Doig responded: "Absolutely, I think that community council members should be made aware at all times that they should be acting in a non-political way. "Their purpose is not to talk about the politics of the day, it's really to focus on civic issues in their own community." The scheme, which is currently under review, could feature a more robust complaints process once a revised version is eventually agreed. Councillor Doig believes this job should be officer-led as opposed to the suggestion of a panel of members drawn from other community councils. He added: "We oversee them, therefore, if there's any issues, it's only correct and proper it's council officers who should set up procedures to deal with them. "I don't think it's fair to expect a neighbouring community council to investigate issues within a community council in any given location. I don't think that's the way forward."
