Hillington plans will help boost businesses
Firms at Renfrewshire’s biggest business park are being invited to have their say on innovative proposals to streamline the planning process for companies.
Council bosses want to boost business by establishing a simplified planning zone at Hillington Park – the first of its kind in Scotland for more than two decades.
If adopted, the zone would allow firms to build without having to apply for planning permission – as long as the development complied with the rules.
The zone is aimed at encouraging sustainable growth while attracting investment by saving time and money for new and existing companies at the park.
The plans are being promoted by Renfrewshire and Glasgow City Councils – the park straddles the boundary between the two – along with the park’s majority owners MEPC.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “I am delighted to be working in partnership with MEPC Hillington Park and our neighbours in Glasgow City Council.
“It’s more than 20 years since a simplified planning zone was last introduced in Scotland and this important project is now recognised in the emerging National Planning Framework.
“This is an excellent example of the public and private sector working together to make an area more attractive for jobs and investment.
“This is something the council is already doing through our Invest in Renfrewshire programme to boost the local economy and tackle unemployment, which has so far signed up more than 500 local companies – around 80 of them in Hillington.
“It shows yet again that Renfrewshire is open for business and that it continues to examine ways to streamline and speed up the planning process without sacrificing quality.
“I would encourage any interested parties to view the plans on the council’s website, where they can also submit any feedback they wish to add.
Jamie Cumming, MEPC Hillington Park’s commercial director, added: “Hillington Park already has a vibrant business community which the SPZ will help support, but there is also a huge amount of potential for the Park and the scheme will act the catalyst for further sustainable growth and employment”
Hillington Park is one of Scotland’s largest business park and is home to more than 500 companies, employing more than 6,100 people.
The SPZ plans are available to view by going to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/planning and searching for application number 13/0754/SZ.