Council gives Buddies green light for new training site

Nov 12 2008 by David Rinaldi, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN were last night given the green light to begin building new training facilities at the Allanton Playing Fields in Ralston.

The club’s initial request for planning permission had been delayed to allow councillors to undertake a site visit following issues raised by local residents.

But at a meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee yesterday the Buddies were given the all-clear to plough ahead with the new facility.

Paisley councillor Eddie Devine welcomed the decision saying: “The application went through without any problems.

“There was a site visit a couple of weeks ago to look at some residents’ concerns that had been raised.

“But the application has gone through without any conditions being attached at all.

“As a St Mirren fan I must say I’m delighted.

“Hopefully the club can now push on with its plans for the site.”

The Love Street hierarchy were still awaiting official notice from Renfrewshire Council last night that their plans had been approved in line with their initial proposal before they were willing to make any comment.

Buddies general manager Brian Caldwell, pictured above, said: “We are awaiting written confirmation from Renfrewshire Council before we comment.”

Express Sports understands Love Street chiefs had been fearing that the planning committee would impose conditions that had to be met before the proposal was subject to approval.

But with last night’s news it’s now going to be all systems go for the new training complex.

This will include a new state-of-the-art high-tech astroturf pitch among the facilities.

Work is set to begin on the site in January.