Renfrewshire Council

Renfrewshire Council City Deal Team (the 'Applicant') is intending to apply to Renfrewshire Council and Marine Scotland (as the Competent Authorities) for planning permission for the proposed infrastructure and associated works for the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA) project.

Whilst it is not a statutory requirement, as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, the applicant wishes to seek a Scoping Opinion from Renfrewshire Council (and Marine Scotland) under the provisions of Regulation 13 of the EIA Scotland Regulations 2011 and Schedule 4 of the Marine Works EIA Regulations 2007.   We welcome your views regarding the Environmental Scoping Report, which can be viewed and downloaded from the related document section of this page.

The proposed development comprises a number of infrastructure proposals that have been developed to meet the project aims (as described within the Scoping Report).  The main elements of the project are:

• Inchinnan Cycleway: a proposed cycleway between the Black Cart Water stone arch bridge in the north of the project area and Inchinnan Business Park following the corridor of the A8 Greenock Road.

• Netherton Farm: realignment of a section of Abbotsinch Road, to the west of the White Cart Water, from Arran Avenue in the south and up to and including improvements to the junction at the northern end of the road with the A8.

• Wright Street Crossing: a new bridge across the White Cart Water linking Wright Street, the Westway Business Park and adjacent development areas, to provide improved connectivity between the Business Park, Glasgow Airport complex and the strategic road network. This crossing would also provide new and improved active travel opportunities.

• Gateway: a new 'gateway' route, incorporating a new bridge crossing of the White Cart Water at Paisley Harbour, to provide improved connectivity between Paisley town centre, the Airport and potential adjacent development sites.

There are also two further elements of the project which may be included within the applications associated with the proposed development. As these elements are subject to a number of external constraints, there inclusion, or otherwise will be confirmed at a later point. These elements are:

• a new/upgraded cycle route between Arran Avenue and Sanderling Road, linking the other new/upgraded road sections described above; and

• the potential for a new pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Black Cart Water linking to the new Inchinnan cycleway.

This Scoping Report considers the potential environmental issues relating to the proposal and discusses which issues are likely to be significant.  It then provides an outline of how the EIA will deal with each of the issues raised, providing the scope for further desk based study and site surveys as required. 

Note: The deadline for 'scoping opinions' on the GAIA Scoping Report (which is in electronic pdf format within the related documents section of this page) closed on 27th October 2016.  The Scoping Report and the comments received as part of this process will now be used to develop the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as described above.

Update: Since the original Scoping Reports were submitted, there has been a number of changes to the proposed projects and the team have prepared a Scoping Update Note to provide information on these design changes and can be viewed here (www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/citydealeia). The deadline for providing an updated Scoping Opinion is 28 February 2017.

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