Calls for appeal on services bid to be rejected

An appeal against Renfrewshire Council's decision to refuse plans for a roadside services next to a roundabout in Lochwinnoch is expected to be determined by late October.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

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, challenged the ruling to the Scottish Government in June - 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.