CURRENT AND PLANNED PROJECTS IN PAISLEY
PAISLEY HIGH STREET TO OPEN FOR TRAFFIC
Renfrewshire Council's planning and property policy board took the decision in a bid to "inject new life into the town's night-time economy".
Councillors also agreed to look at a second phase of the scheme which would see traffic allowed to enter the High Street from Gauze Street and St Mirren Brae.
No date has been set for the changes to be introduced. As of 12th May 2013 no changes have taken place.
FORMER ARNOTTS STORE
The initial developers were unsuccessful in tempting a major retailer to the site. In 2007 it was sold to McLagen Investments, the property arm of supermarket giants ASDA. The site remained undeveloped, and was subjected to fires and vandalism.
Renfrewshire Council joined Park Lane Developments in a limited liability partnership in 2009, to aquire and market the Arnott's site, with the intention of attracting outlet retailers. Unfortunately difficult market conditions meant that the aim couldn't be achieved.
The current proposal for this site is for 31 one and two bedroom flats for intermediate rent of shared equity. The refurbishment of the former Arnott's Building will include ground floor retail space and nine flats.
We have contacted Renfrewshire Council for more details on the proposal and a timetable of the work on the site, and await their reply.
GILMOUR HOUSE - ADDITIONAL STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Gilmour House had been on the market since 2009, but the office space will now be converted into 235 student flats, 196 of which will be en-suite. The accommodation will be used by studens from The University of the West of Scotland here in Paisley.
This is the second such student development in Scotland by Freshstart Living. It is planned to have the accommodation available in time for the 2013 academic year.
PAISLEY PIAZZA MULTI-STORY CAR PARK
With the new canopy now in place over Paisley Gilmour Street Station, the adjacent multi-storey car-park was seen to be in need for some attention. There are signs of vandalism, and some shoppers find the car park a little intimidating.
NewRiver Retail are working on proposals for a full refurbishment of the centre’s car park improving access, lighting, signage and cosmetics. It is hoped the work can begin in 2013.
Our thanks to Lucy Mitchell, Marketing Manager of NewRiver Retail Ltd, for her kind assistance with this enquiry.
PAISLEY TOWN HALL
An investment of almost £1.6 million in Paisley's Town Hall will see major repairs to the town hall’s stonework, a new more accessible, entrance that is fully Disability Discrimination Act compliant, and a remodelled foyer and the creation of new interior space from the existing cloisters.
The work will be finished in time, when Paisley plays host to the Mòd in October 2013.
Scaffolding on the A-listed structure was erected in August, and will be hidden for nine months. As part of the contract, two new jobs will be created, three work placements will be established for 16 to 19 year olds, and two existing apprenticeships will be continued. The programme will act as the driver for various N/SVQ qualifications and training courses in supervision, leadership and management and advanced health and safety.
WILLIAM GALLACHER MEMORIAL
Through the good offices of a number of notable Trustees and Sponsors through public subscription, the Committee intends to raise
£300,000.00 to commission and erect a public monument to the memory of Willie Gallacher, one of Paisley’s internationally
important sons. Featuring a youthful central image of Gallacher, the work will also incorporate a definitive image of a Paisley Millgirl and a further figure of a West Fife Mineworker.
Dr. Alexander Stoddart, the local sculptor (also of international renown) has put in a great deal of time and effort to this monument as a
significant contribution towards Paisley’s civic monuments
TESCO SUPERSTORE, WALLNEUK
The original plan was for 130,000 square feet of retail space with 722 parking spaces, as well as a replacement 120 council parking spaces, after purchasing the council land for £4.75million. The land in question includes the vacant warehouses, former petrol filling station, the bowling alley and lorry park.
As a result of concerns regarding the impact on town centre business, in February 2010 Tesco advised they were to amend their plan, reducing the amount of floorspace allocated to non-food items. The revised plan was for an 11,000 square metre store to be open 24 hours a day, with a new traffic light junction created on Renfrew Road at a crossroads with Niddry Street. The Council's officials estimated the impact on like for like shopping in Paisley Town Centre at 7%.
The plan was given planning permission by Renfrewshire Council on the 1st April 2010. who concluded the development would represent a substantial investment in Paisley, would involve the creation of employment opportunities, and would significantly improve the appearance of this key entry point to the Town Centre. Confirmation that the Scottish Government was satisfied with the proposal was received in January 2011. A full copy of the recommendation on planning application can be found here
To see larger artists impressions, click HERE.
Demolition of existing buildings took place in early 2012.
UPDATE: Despite an announcement that Tesco would start work on the site in February 2013, in May 2013 the company announced it would not build on the site. This is a result of it's failed investment into the American market. Renfrewshire Council is trying to determine what their plans for the site are.
PAISLEY ABBEY IMPROVEMENTS The plans have been agreed by all parties, and it is hoped the planned extension and renovations will be ready for the 850th anniversary of the founding of the Abbey, on St Mirin's Day, the 15th September, 2013. Final architectural plans are expected to be released during the summer of 2012.
We have obtained two artists impressions of the work from architects Simpson & Brown. For large images click H E R E , H E R E , and H E R E
In March 2013 planning applications were lodged with Renfrewshire Council for the erection of a two-storey extension on the western elevation.
For information on the Paisley Abbey Fourth Cloister Slate Sponsorship, please click H E R E .
Click HERE for a newspaper article dated 15th March 2013.
DISUSED TOILETS, BRIDGE STREET
A car park will be placed on the site, with parking for 45 vehicles.
Being on the busy Paisley ring road system, this development will help improve the location's apprearance, while providing additional parking spaces for this part of the town.
Demolition on the site started in mid-September 2012, and was ready for use by October 2012.
RUSSELL INSTITUTE
Miss Agnes Russell donated the Russell Institute to her home town of Paisley as a memorial to her two bachelor brothers, Robert and Thomas Russell, who died in 1913 and 1920 respectively.
The Paisley Development Trust is looking at the property with the aim to create a centre where artists, charities and creative groups can rent facilities, hot desk, set up workshops and exhibit their work.
A feasibility study is expected to cost in the region of £35,000, and PDT will need to raise funding for this. They are also looking for help from designers, architects and quantity surveyors who can donate their time and expertise to the project.
If things go ahead, the PDT would like to invite a pledge from any firms willing to sandblast the outside of the building for free in support of the funding application. If you can volunteer your service to the project, e-mail Piero at Pieropieraccini@aol.com or paisley_ development_trust@yahoo.co.uk
UPDATE:The Paisley Development Trust was granted £7,500 from The Architectural Heritage to part fund the options appraisal for the Russell Institute. At the moment the building is still for sale.
PAISLEY GILMOUR STREET STATION
Leaking rainwater from the existing canopy has caused dampness problems to the retail units below. This problem will be resolved by the construction of one single roof over all four platforms, covering 4740sqm , and will be 40% larger than the current canopies. New access points will be created and the paintwork will be changed to Saltire blue and white.
The current canopy dates from 1967. The work started in February 2011, and was finished in 2012.
Paisley Gilmour Street is one of Scotland's busiest stations, seeing more than three million passengers a year.
Click H E R E for a larger image.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND - STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation will include en-suite bathrooms, communal living and kitchen spaces, management suites, lounges and laundry facilities.
A further £4.6m project will refurbish 160 University-owned flats at George Street and Lady Lane in the town.
Work started in March 2011 and was officially opened in November 2012.
Click H E R E for an artists impression.
FORMER TERRITORIAL ARMY CENTRE
The building is privately owned and development has been granted for the refurbishment of main building & subdivision to form 8 flats; refurbishment of chapel to form 1 house; demolition of rear buildings & erection of 17 new build flats & maisonettes with associated parking and landscaping. Commencement of the development must occur by 21st November 2012. An interesting condition states that there shall be no stonecleaning of the retained listed buildings unless first approved in writing by the Planning Authority.
In 2011 the building was put on the market by Colliers International on behalf of liquidator KPMG. The closing date for offers was the 15th February 2012. The liquidators rejected all offers as they were 'insufficient'.
The former four-storey TA building needs considerable repair works and extensive internal refurbishment. The drill hall would need to be demolished.
UPDATE:An offer to buy the property was rejected by Colliers International in 2012. Another interested party has approached Colliers, but again the sale of the property hasn't progressed. In January 2013 the front of this fine building was vandalised with graffiti.
4-6 INCLE STREET, PAISLEY
A compulsory purchase order was placed by Renfrewshire Council on the 17th August 2009, but delayed by red tape. Ownership of the property is being transferred to the partnership involved with the development and regeneration of the former Arnotts site.
In all, the entire site will cover approximately 1.6 hectares. Demolition of this building was scheduled for the summer of 2010 but has been delayed.
UPDATE: Demolition began in December 2012 and was completdd in January 2013.
FORMER LITTLEWOODS STORE
A plan recently considered is the sub-dividing of the unit into different spaces, to be rented out separately.
Paisley2020 contacted Primark in late 2009. Their head office in Dublin informed us they were not longer expanding into the UK market, but concentrating on mainland Europe.
The front of the ground floor shop was improved with the 'Imagine' theme of images at the end of June 2010. Wilkinson announced their interest in the site in 2010, and despite a grant offered by Renfrewshire Council, the company pulled out of the deal in June 2011.
In August 2011 Paisley2020.org released plans on a possible use of this property, by converting it into a outlet departments store, with concessions. The full article can be read H E R E.
A Poundworld store opened during the summer of 2012, with the adjoining unit inside the Paisley Centre opened as a Home Bargains UK store.The two shops created 60 jobs.
IMAGINE THEMED SHOP FRONTS
Outlet stores offer brand names at a discount – typically between 30% and 70% off recommended retail prices –through discontinued lines, blemished articles or last season’s designs. Although they are rarely housed in factories, the concept is based on the factory outlet where manufacturers offer goods direct to the public at a lower cost than at their high street branches.
Unfortunately with the current economic downturn, interest in the outlet proposal has reduced. It is hoped the idea will be reserected when the economy picks up again.
18 HIGH STREET, PAISLEY
The building dates from 1879 and is described as Thomsonesque classical with Tuscan pilasters. This part of High Street was redeveloped 1880-86.
An application to convert the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors from office space to 6 flats was lodged and granted on the 12th October 2009. Commencement of the development must occur by 12th October 2014. The front of the ground floor shop was improved with the 'Imagine' theme of images at the end of June 2010.
We have no details about the future of the ground floor retail shops.
Applicant: R. Sher & Son Properties Ltd., 22 St John's Road, Glasgow, G41 8QZ.
UPDATE: A Class 3 licence for fast food consent was lodged with Renfrewshire Council in November 2011. Although granted, the shop remains empty, although work was seen to take place inside the property in January 2013.
FORMER REGAL CINEMA SITE (95 HIGH STREET/LADY LANE)
Paisley2020 contacted Renfrewshire Council regarding this site, and it's apparent lack of maintenance.
The land is in private ownership and as a result Renfrewshire Council have no control over the condition of the property. The Council do recognise the prominence of the site at the western edge of the Town Centre. The Planning department have written to the owners requesting that they undertake improvement works, ahead of any future development proposals for the site. Over the summer of 2012 a wooden fence was placed around the site.
Our thanks to Joe Waclawski, Assistant Land Services Manager, for his assistance with this enquiry.
FORMER SITE OF ST MIRREN FOOTBALL GROUND, LOVE STREET.
A planning application for a 264-home residential development with associated car parking, landscaping and new vehicular and pedestrian access was lodged in November 2008, and viewed by Renfrewshire Council in June 2010.
Tesco received premission to proceed with it's Wallneuk plans on the 1st April 2010. As a result the site of the football stadium is now proposed for residential development with associated car parking and landscaping. The application lodged seeks planning permission in principle and was agreed on the 8th June 2010 and will lapse within 2 years if not acted upon.
Demolition of the stadium commenced in late 2009, and the entire site has now been fenced off. As of June 2012 no further work has taken place on the site.
NEW SNEDDON STREET PROJECT
The proposals comprised of 6,630 square metres of new office space, 26 new apartments and a 139 bedroom hotel arranged in three blocks set around a central area with the hotel constituting the main tower element of the project. The three blocks were to be connected together.
Planning permission was lodged in November 2007 and granted on the 28th February 2008, on the condition work started within 5 years.
We contacted McGarvey Construction regarding this plan, but never received a reply. We contacted Renfrewshire Council who kindly advised the project had been delayed due to the recent economic climate.
To see another artists impression, click HERE.
THE WATERMILL HOTEL EXTENSION
'The Ballroom' accommodates up to 150 guests attending functions, weddings and private parties.
Construction began in August, and was open business late 2010.
PAISLEY CULTURE AND ARTS CENTRE
The first Phase of the £30m proposals will be the £7m refurbishment and enhancement of the existing town hall. The designs include plans to relocate the central lending library into a wing of the town hall, this would allow the existing library space to be incorporated into a new cultural centre. The Cultural Centre will comprise gallery facilities as well as providing a new 175 seat auditorium with cafe and bar.
The streetscape will also see significant plans to create a transformation of the street into a public space that will not only provide access to all the facilities but will attract local residents and visitors to the cultural centre. A new circulation route up the sloping site will create a visual connection from the High Street to the Paisley Observatory.
It is anticipated that the designs will help to restore that magnificence of the existing listed public buildings as well as increasing visitor numbers to Paisley’s cultural venues, and provide Paisley with an economic and cultural boost.
FORMER RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS SITE
Phase One of the £14 million regeneration will see the building of 30 two-bedroom homes. The later three phases will bring the total up to 137 residential apartments. The first phase has received £1.59m of funding from the Scottish Government.
This key project has support from both Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government and will be a big step forward in the Paisley Vision Board’s regeneration plans, which herald a promising new era for the town.
This is seen as a key site in the overall plan for the town and the first major step in what will be an exciting transformation.
To see an artists impression, click HERE.
FORMER 'INSTITUTE' NIGHTCLUB
Before construction could take place, the site would have to be checked for industrial contamination, and would have to undergo an archaeological survey, being located within an identified historic site. The plan never eventuated, and the site was put up for sale in late 2007.
In 2012 Solid Rock Academy opened up a gymnastics & cheer gym area at the rear of the site, with a dance studio to be built as well. The owner plans to let the other part of the site in the future. Our thanks to Gillian Sloan at Solid Rock Academy for her assistance with this enquiry.
GORDON STREET A contract worth £4.3 million was awarded to housebuilding company Lovell. A large, full scale refurbishment project has begun on 53 tenement flats in Gordon Street. Layouts of apartments will be altered in line with the needs of residents, with tenants set to benefit from more energy-efficient homes once work is completed. The work was completed by summer 2010.
FORMER FIRE STATION, GORDON STREET
The building has been derelict since the 1970's and despite planning permission being granted in 1994 to turn the site into a youth advice centre, cafe/disco, workers flats, youth hostel, offices, recording studio, craft workshop and a multi-gym, it has never been fully developed.
A grant from the lottery backed Townscape Heritage Initiative has brought in £1.5million, with the funds earmarked for restoring the building. Work is currently underway to make the building safe and secure prior to the restoration to take place in the next few years.
UPDATE: Planning permission has been lodged to convert the building into flats
CENTRAL ROAD BUS ZONE
What was a dark and unpleasant series of bus stops, will be transformed into a modern public transport interchange, with greater space allocated for passengers and pedestrians.
Buses and taxis run one way only, westbound towards Gilmour Street. The area has a new road and pavement surfaces and improved lighting.
The road was opened again to traffic on schedule in March 2010.
In March 2013 Councillors in Renfrewshire backed plans to let cars back into a pedestrian-only zone of Paisley. The move will allow cars and taxis to enter the controlled part of Paisley High Street between 4pm and 10.30pm.
The former Arnotts' building was designed by one of Paisley's most respected architects, JS Steel Maitland, opening in 1927, and taking on the Arnott's name in 1973. The B-listed building has been lying empty since the store closed in 2002.
It was announced in late August 2012, Gilmour House had been bought by FreshStart Living from Paisley Piazza owners NewRiver Retail.
Paisley2020.org recently contacted NewRiver Retail - the owners of the Paisley Piazza Shopping Centre. The centre was purchased in November 2011 and was the largest purchase made by the company, valued at £68 million.
£1.6m revamp planned for Paisley Town Hall
The William Gallacher Memorial Committee, in conjunction with Jewitt Arschavir & Wilkie Architects announced the detailed planning approval for a proposed
monument to Willie Gallacher MP on the corner of High Street and New Street, Paisley.
A planning application was lodged in November 2009 for the erection of a Class 1 retail store and associated servicing, car parking, access, environmental improvements/landscaping, including town centre shoppers' car park.
A new entrance and better visitor facilities are planned for Paisley Abbey. Renovations at the Place of Paisley are also planned. A key part of the proposal is to create new indoor space between the Abbey and the adjoining Place of Paisley, with existing space in the Place of Paisley to be adapted to host more concerts and conferences.
It was announced in January 2012 that the disused public toilets, sitting at the corner of Bridge Street and the A726 Mill Street, would be demolished.
The Russell Institute is a former health clinic at the corner of New Street and Causeyside Street. The building has been put on the market by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde because it fails to meet modern standards.
The owners of Paisley Gilmour Street Station, Network Rail, have announced a £9 million package of improvements to the B-listed structure.
Announced in August 2010 was a £13.6m project to build a 340-bedroom complex on the site of a current car park.
This B-listed building is located at 76 High Street between the Coat's Memorial Church and the Art Gallery & Museum car park, and directly opposite the University of the West of Scotland. It was built 1896-1899 and was most recently used as a Territorial Army Centre. The interior received fire damage in December 2008 and remains unused and boarded up.
This tenament was last occupied in 2009, and was the target of fires and vandalism. Being adjacent to the Glasgow-Paisley railway line, it became a very unattractive 'welcome' for visitors to Paisley
The former Littlewoods store is a stand-alone unit of 60,000 square feet in private ownership. Renfrewshire Council has had discussions with owners and potential occupiers.
In June 2010 Renfrewshire Council unveiled new frontages for empty shops in the High Street which show what they would look like if they were occupied.
Plans are also in place to promote Paisley as Britain’s first “discount town”. Instead of trying to compete at the high end of the market, the council will take the lead in a daring attempt to attract shoppers to the town with an innovative marketing scheme. The council has also hired a commercial property company, Colliers International, to target potential retailers and encourage them to open outlet stores similar to those at McArthur Glen in Livingston. The idea has come on the back of a successful opening 18 months ago of Marks & Spencer’s discount outlet on Paisley High Street.
This B-listed building opposite the main entrance of the Paisley Centre has been empty for some time.
The Regal Cinema was opened in 1934, and after spending the latter years as a bingo hall, it was demolished March 2009. Since then the site has been vacant, become overgrown and the perimeter fencing has fallen over. This plot of land does not make an attractive entrance to Paisley from the West End.
The site was acquired by Tesco with the plan to construct an 80,000sq ft store. When the retailer obtained a site at Wallneuk, off Renfrew Road, the former football ground site was earmarked for a housing development instead.
This project was announced in September 2007 to much publicity, and was designed by smc Davis Duncan Architects for McGarvey Construction (Scotland Ltd).
Planning permission has been granted for the Watermill Hotel to build an extension onto the vacant ground on Loanend next to The River Cart. The plan is to provide a new function suite and ancillary accommodation.
The proposals involve refurbishing the existing Town Hall and library and refurbishing and extending the museum to provide improved cultural facilities, with the designs forming part of the wider regeneration strategy for Paisley Town Centre.
Demolition of the former council building began in February 2010 and continued into the summer. The construction of new houses and shop units due to begin during the summer of 2010.
The site was once an industrial building, and was most recently used as a nightclub, but has been derelict for many years, with the roof now having partly fallen in. Planning permission was granted in April 2005, allowing the erection of a residential development comprising of 22 2-bedroom and 6 3-bedroom flats with underground parking, being mainly 4 storeys high.
Gordon Street now falls within a conservation area. Work has been carried out to reduce the the impact of traffic on Gordon Street and to repair the damage done to the urban fabric by road widening. This was completed in 2009.
The former fire station was built in 1897 and is of baronial style. THis B-listed structure has a drying tower 12 feet square and 68 feet high.
Central Road, running under the Piazza shopping centre car park, has received an investment of £500,000.
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