Controversial plans to redevelop a former munitions factory which contains some of the most contaminated soil in Britain were given the green light by councillors yesterday.
A special meeting of Renfrewshire Council's Planning and Economic Development Policy Board voted 12-2 in favour of granting outline planning consent for more than 2500 homes, a business park, community woodland park and leisure facilities on the 2400-acre site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory in Bishopton.
Councillors also granted detailed planning consent for a new motorway junction off the M8/A8 leading to the development.
The proposed development by BAe Systems and Redrow Homes at the former factory complex, the biggest brownfield site in Scotland, has been the subject of detailed discussion for years, which included a referral to the former Scottish Executive.
The plans for the project attracted about 2000 objections from local residents.
Councillor Iain Nicolson, the board's convener, said: "This development has the potential to significantly boost the local and regional economy, provide housing for people who want to live in the area, deal with remediation of contaminated land and act as a driver for business growth."
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