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Renfrewshire Council's Planning and Economic Development Policy Board has granted planning permission for a remediation programme and construction of a dedicated landfill facility on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Bishopton, Renfrewshire.
Among the conditions set down by Renfrewshire Council is a ban on any waste from outside the former ROF site being deposited in the landfill site there.
The decision paves the way – subject to detailed planning conditions – for one of Scotland's biggest redevelopment programmes over the next two decades.
The proposed multi-million pound development by BAE Systems (Property Investments) Ltd could lead to the construction of 2,500 homes, a community woodland park, and a £30million package of new community facilities including a new primary school, community centre, health centre, sports facilities and new motorway junction off the M8.
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"The fact that Renfrewshire is set for such massive long term investment is a major vote of confidence in the area's future," said Councillor Iain Nicolson, Convenor of Renfrewshire Council's Planning and Economic Development Policy Board.
"The proposed development at Bishopton will significantly boost the local and regional economy, provide housing for people who want to live in the area and act as a driver for business growth.
"However, Renfrewshire Council has always made clear that we would only sanction development if a comprehensive, stringent and rigorously monitored remediation programme was first put in place for the site.
"The council worked with independent specialist consultants and SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) to assess the proposals. There have been no objections to those proposals from SEPA, who will licence the landfill site and be involved in the monitoring of the site, or from SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage), Scottish Water or HSE (Health and Safety Executive).
"The planning process has a specific remit to address decontamination and remediation issues. I can assure the community of Bishopton that all the statutory bodies involved will ensure that all works on the site comply with national guidelines and are fully monitored by the relevant agency."
The 700 hectare site at Bishopton has been identified as suitable for major residential and business development in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan. Outline planning permission, establishing the principle of development on the site, was granted by Renfrewshire Council in December 2008.
An independent report of an Examination in Public (EIP) in 2007 found that "there is no contamination on the ROF site that raises issues of sufficient concern to preclude identifying Bishopton as a community growth area."
Following completion of the landfill operation, the facility would be transformed as part of a wider community woodland park.
(GK/BMcC)
