Massive car park plan thrown out

Jul 8 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

CONTROVERSIAL plans by hotel chiefs to build a long-stay car park with 400 spaces have been given the boot by Renfrewshire Council.

Bosses at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew applied for planning permission to create the massive car park on space currently occupied by a golf driving range.

They hoped to offer a package in which guests could stay at the hotel before they go on holiday, leave their car in the long-stay car park while they jet out from Glasgow Airport and then pick up their vehicle when they return to Scotland.

But there were nearly 200 letters of objection to the plans, which would also have seen the hotel’s existing car park extended by 182 spaces for function and conference use.

Residents had a number of concerns, including increased traffic, noise and air pollution and fears over the loss of former greenbelt land.

Bosses at Sportscotland also expressed concern about the loss of the golf driving range.

A report to councillors on Renfrewshire’s planning and economic development board stated: “Little information has been provided to support the assertion that an additional 582 car parking spaces are required to support a hotel of this size in its current use.

“Clearly, the hotel has been able to operate in the past without the additional 582 car parking spaces proposed by this application.

“In addition, should planning permission be granted, it is clear that the hotel will no longer be the dominant feature of the overall site. The car parking area far outweighs the footprint of the hotel building.”

Planners were also concerned about the impact of a large car park on the landscape of the area, adding that the development would have a negative impact on the green corridor and the River Cart walkway.

Although the golf driving range isn’t currently being used, planners felt it would be better for the community if it was refurbished.

The report added: “It is accepted that there may be a need for some additional parking at the hotel, however, the amount of parking proposed will have a significant impact on the visual amenity and landscape quality of the greenbelt and result in the loss of yet more recreational space.”

Planners recommended the application be refused and all councillors on the board agreed.

The Normandy has 141 bedrooms and is owned by Cosmopolitan Hotels, which also runs the Erskine Bridge Hotel.

No-one at Cosmopolitan Hotels was available for comment.