There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the Clyde Peatlands
initiative and its delivery within Renfrewshire.

The report advised that the Clyde Peatlands initiative had been developed as part of a wider response to tackling climate change across the Glasgow City Region with the aim of restoration of degraded peatland bogs which in turn delivered climate and ecological benefits across the City Region area and supported Net Zero ambitions. The initiative had been led by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership (GCVNP) which included the region’s eight local authorities and key agencies.

The report indicated that peatland restoration supported the region’s Net Zero ambitions through the storage of carbon, assisted in reducing the impact of climate change through storing surface water and provided ecological benefits by supporting enhanced habitat networks. The initial phases of the project had been funded by the NatureScot Peatland Action programme which had set aside £250 million until 2030 to support peatland restoration across Scotland and enabled a dedicated Clyde Peatlands Officer to be appointed by GCVNP. The Clyde Peatlands Project Officer had engaged with local authorities across the City Region to consider the potential for ‘early win’ projects which demonstrated the benefits of peatland restoration, maximised use of funding available from NatureScot’s Peatland Action Programme and supported the restoration of peat bogs across the City Region.

The most significant opportunity for peatland restoration within Renfrewshire lay within West Tandlemuir Farm, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch and an update was provided in respect of the feasibility evaluation undertaken, the proposed programme of works, funding, delivery and monitoring arrangements.

Councillor Andy Doig, seconded by Councillor McGurk, moved as an additional recommendation that it be agreed to liaise with community-led organisations with a view to potential partnership arrangements regarding the development of the Tandlemuir Farm Restoration Project.  This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:

(a) That the development of Clyde Peatlands and the role of the initiative in contributing to the Council’s response to climate change be noted;

(b) That the opportunity for development of the West Tandlemuir Farm Restoration Project as part of Clyde Peatlands in Renfrewshire be noted;

(c) That authority be delegated to the Head of Economy and Development, in consultation with the Convenor, to develop and progress implementation of the West Tandlemuir Restoration Project, including the preparation of bids for capital funding;

(d) That it be agreed to liaise with community-led organisations with a view to potential partnership arrangements regarding the development of the Tandlemuir Farm Restoration Project; and 

(e) That it be noted that further progress on delivery of the West Tandlemuir project
would be reported to this Policy Board as appropriate.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to requests to apply Tree Preservation Order (TPO) designations to sites across Renfrewshire. 

The report advised that the TPO requests submitted had been considered in terms of Section 160 of The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006, and within the procedures set out in the Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation Order and Trees in Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2011. The report provided updates in relation to the TPOs agreed at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 23 August 2022 in respect of the sites at Potterhill Avenue, Paisley, St Marks Church, Paisley and land to the south of Stanely Reservoir and referred to a request received for the designation of a TPO in respect of a number of trees and groups of trees at Inchinnan Road, Renfrew and advised that an assessment had been undertaken, details of which were provided within the report,  together with a recommendation that a TPO be made and the factors taken into consideration. 

Following discussion regarding aspects of the TPO request in respect of trees within the grounds of Dykebar Hospital, Paisley which the report recommended be not confirmed and which was subsequently withdrawn, it was agreed that arrangements be made to convene a training session for elected members in respect of TPOs.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be agreed that the tree preservation order in respect of the land within the grounds of Dykebar Hospital, Paisley be not confirmed and be withdrawn; 

(b) That it be noted that the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) designations agreed at the meeting of this Policy Board held on 23 August 2022 in respect of the sites at Potterhill Avenue, Paisley, St Marks Church, Paisley and land to the south of Stanely Reservoir were currently subject to a period of public consultation and would be submitted to a future meeting of this Policy Board for confirmation or otherwise of the orders; and 

(c) That the need for a TPO in respect of a number of trees and groups of trees at Inchinnan Road, Renfrew be approved and that it be agreed that officers proceed to prepare the Order, serve it on relevant parties and make the Order available to the public and seek representations. 

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to the feedback report provided by the Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning in relation to Renfrewshire’s Planning Performance Framework 2022/23, a copy of which was appended to the report. 

The report stated that a system of performance management for planning had been established by local authorities and the Scottish Government, which required all planning authorities to produce an annual Planning Performance Framework. The Framework had been developed by the Heads of Planning Scotland to capture and highlight a balanced measurement of planning performance, showing commitment to speed of decision making; qualitative analysis, delivery and implementation of good quality development and design; project management and communication consultation, and engagement with communities and stakeholders.

The report intimated that the Framework provided planning authorities with an opportunity to demonstrate continuous improvement, achievements and successes. The Renfrewshire Planning Performance Framework 2022/23 demonstrated that the Council was committed to continuous improvement in the service it provided in its role as a local planning authority and the feedback report received had been positive with all areas of the assessment apart from one achieving the required level of performance. 

DECIDED: That the positive feedback report on Renfrewshire’s Planning Performance Framework 2022/23 be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to planning and other relevant appeals which were currently under consideration and appeal decisions which had been issued by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).

Appendix 1 of the report detailed all appeals currently under consideration by the DPEA including those related to the refusal of planning permission, advertisement consent and notification as a result of an objection from a statutory consultee. Appendix 2 of the report detailed appeals determined in the period November 2022 to October 2023, or where the Reporter had issued a notice of intention. 

The report highlighted that of the recent appeal determinations relating to planning applications, four appeals had been allowed and planning permission granted. In addition, it was noted that all appeals determined since November 2022 to October 2023, which related to large scale residential developments, had been allowed by the Reporter. Appendix 2 of the report also advised that claims for expenses had been awarded in relation to two planning appeals from the previous 12-month period. These appeals related to the development at Yard A, Station Road, Bridge of Weir and the UWS Thornly Park Campus Site at Caplethill Road, Paisley. Details of the awards were provided within the report. 

DECIDED: 

(a) That the appeals which were currently under consideration by the DPEA and awaiting a decision be noted;  

(b) That the decisions recently issued by the DPEA in respect of development proposals within Renfrewshire be noted; and

(c) That the award of expenses against the Council in respect of (i) the development at Yard A, Station Road, Bridge of Weir and (ii) the UWS Thornly Park Campus Site at Caplethill Road, Paisley be noted.

J Weir, Senior Planning Officer, provided a presentation relative to the application.

Reference was made to potential vermin issues in the vicinity of the site arising from the proposed development.  Assurances were provided that the developer would be encouraged to take pro-active mitigating action to address the issue and that, in the event of a failure, the Council would enforce applicable legislation.

In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson, moved that the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report and a section 75 agreement being concluded with the applicants in respect of delivery of affordable homes on the site and secure a contribution towards play provision.  This was agreed unanimously. 

DECIDED: That the application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report and a section 75 agreement being concluded with the applicants in respect of delivery of affordable homes on the site and secure a contribution towards play provision.