Claire Donaldson of 4th Consulting, Project and Asset managers for the Paton’s Mill development said:
“We have worked closely throughout the process with Renfrewshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland, so we are delighted with the Council’s decision to approve the full planning application.
“The Council’s decision allows us to proceed with phase one of our plans with demolition commencing early this year, with a view to the build programme being completed by September 2018.
“Bringing an unoccupied site on this scale back into use can only add to the local economy and we hope this will be a catalyst for further regeneration in the Johnstone area.”
Acquired in January 2012 following a process led by Renfrewshire Council to identify a developer who would review the site and identify commercial uses to enable its positive redevelopment following significant fire damage in May 2010.
The site presents a number of environmental challenges and the remains of the derelict fire-damaged structures are in a poor state of repair. Since acquisition, the private pension fund’s appointed management team has undertaken a full review of the site and the existing structures, to assess their viability for retention. In addition to a subsequent extensive period of market research, the result is a proposed master plan for redevelopment which is capable of delivery.
The site extends to 10 acres, is bound by the Black Cart River to the north and Johnstone High Street to the East. Not all of the land is capable of development and the industrial uses in the past have prevented areas of the site being directly accessible to the community.
Public consultations took place in June 2016, ahead of the summer school holiday period to enable early feedback from the community ahead of the planning application submission.