Plans for McDonald's drive-thru and EV charging hub near Glasgow Airport rejected

Plans for a commercial development in Paisley – including a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant and an electric vehicle charging hub – have been rejected by Renfrewshire Council.

Chargemaster, trading as BP Pulse, has been denied planning permission for the proposal, which it was claimed could create 120 jobs on land to the north of St James Avenue.

The layout had been reconfigured to minimise the impact on existing trees at the site after a previous application for a similar idea was withdrawn last August.

But a recommendation of refusal from planners, citing loss of open space and trees and impact on residential amenity among the reasons, was accepted by elected members at Tuesday’s planning and climate change policy board.

Councillor Ben Smith, a Labour representative for Paisley Northwest, said: “I agree with the planning officers’ assessment, I don’t think this is an appropriate application.

“On the St James Avenue issues alone personally I wouldn’t be in favour of it but for the reasons outlined I do agree with the officers’ report.”

The site was described in the applicant’s planning statement as “vacant land” with a combination of overgrown shrubs, mature trees and a mound of rubble.

The charging hub, which would have been operated by BP Pulse, was to consist of 16 parking bays – 12 of which would have charging facilities.

But council officers concluded the plans were not in line with the development plan and therefore recommended planning permission should be refused.

A report, which was discussed at the meeting, explained: “The site has remained undeveloped in excess of 33 years and is considered to provide a high level of amenity to the adjacent residential properties by acting as a natural green buffer from the busy road network beyond and forms part of the established character of the area.

“It is considered that the trees and the green space they bound, play a significant role in terms of the visual amenity and offer a substantial and important separation from the road network for the adjacent residential properties at St James Avenue.”

Councillor Kenny MacLaren, an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, added: “I don’t believe it’s an appropriate site for this development.

“I welcome the report from the officers, it’s very thorough.”