Service request

You can share your view on a proposed development in Renfrewshire by commenting on its planning application. You can:

• support the application
• object to the application
• make a neutral comment.

We will not grant planning permission to a proposal just because lots of people support the application, and we will not refuse planning permission just because lots of people object.

Instead, we assess any comments based on whether they’re material or non-material.

Matters we can take into account (material considerations)

Our assessment will take into account ‘material considerations’, such as:

• appearance (such as design, materials used, and scale)
• residential amenity (living conditions such as overshadowing, overlooking, noise, and odour)
• traffic, parking, and access
• loss of trees and landscaping issues
• flooding
• effect on the setting of a listed building or the character of a conservation area
• if the development goes against Renfrewshire’s Local Development Plan.

Matters we cannot take into account (non-material considerations)

Our decision will not be influenced by ‘non-material considerations’, such as:

• loss of a view
• effect on property values
• complaints about construction activity (such as noise, dust, construction vehicles, and working hours)
• competition between shopkeepers and other businesses
• problems between neighbours (such as boundary disputes, damage to property, and private rights of access).

Anyone can comment on a planning application, including:

• individuals
• groups
• organisations.

Creating an account

If you want to comment online, you’ll need to create an account on our planning portal if you do not already have one.

Your personal details

We will not accept anonymous comments. You must include your name and address when submitting your comment.

If you submit a comment, this information will be publicly available online:

• the comment
• your full name
• your postal address.

Pre-application consultations

If you commented on a proposal during a proposal of application notice pre-application consultation process before a major scale application was formally submitted, we will not consider that comment directly when making our decision on the planning application.

You’ll need to submit a new comment to the planning application if you’d like us to consider it when making our final decision on that proposal.

Comment on a planning application online

First, search for a planning application. Find out how to search for a planning application if you’re not sure how to do this.

Once you’ve found the right planning application, select Comments and Make a comment to submit your comment.

We prefer to receive comments online.

If you do not want to comment online, you can send us your comment in the post:

Your letter must include:

• your full name
• your address
• any views you’d like to tell us about the proposal.

We’ll include a summary of your points in our report for the planning application. We respond to all points, including material and non-material considerations.

We’ll publish our final decision and report for the planning application online.

Search for a planning application to view its status, including:

• any comments you or other people have submitted.
• the final decision and report once they’re available.

Only the person who applied for planning permission can appeal or ask for a review of our decision. Third parties, including people who commented on the application, cannot challenge our decision. This is known as ‘no third-party right of appeal’.

Planning permission means that we’ve given you our approval to move forward with a development project that requires our consent.

‘Development’ includes but is not limited to:

• constructing new buildings
• changing the use and appearance of existing buildings
• making other changes to the way land is used.

You should always check with us if you need planning permission before moving forward with a development.

Not all developments will need planning permission. These cases are called permitted development. We’ll be able to tell you if you need planning permission for your development.

Learn more about how the planning system works in Scotland (Scottish Government website).

You can apply for planning permission yourself, or you can ask an agent (such as a planning consultant, architect, or the contractor doing the work) to apply and progress the application on your behalf.

Supporting documents

When filling in your application, you’ll need to provide relevant supporting documents. These must comply with the relevant planning regulations for your application to be valid.

These usually include information such as:

• a location plan
• a site plan
• existing and proposed elevations
• existing and proposed floor plans
• roof plans
• existing and proposed site sections.

Many applicants choose to hire a professional to prepare these documents – for example, since plans must be metrically scaled.

If you’re applying for planning permission for a residential property, download our householder development guidance. It includes more details about the requirements for supporting documents.

Getting advice

You can ask for our advice before you apply for planning permission. We can help you:

• understand which policies apply to you
• clarify site constraints and, if appropriate, engage relevant stakeholders
• identify any issues early on.

There’s no cost to asking for our advice before you apply for planning permission.

Fill in the online form to ask for advice before applying

You can also contact us by:

If you’d like to contact us by phone, our duty planner is available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

Apply for planning permission on the ePlanning Scotland website. You’ll need to log in or create an account to start your application.

Apply for planning permission (ePlanning Scotland website)

Contact us if you have any questions about your application:

We’ll aim to respond to you within 14 days. If our response will take longer than 14 days, we’ll let you know how long you can expect to wait and will keep you updated on your application’s progress.

If you’d like to contact us by phone, our duty planner is available Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

You’ll have to pay a fee with your planning permission application. The amount depends on the type and scale of your project.

Get an estimated fee for your planning permission application (ePlanning Scotland website).

If you’re unable to put your bins out, we may be able to help.

We can:

• take your bins out on your collection day
• empty them
• return them to a specific location on your property.
   

We can help if you:

• are unable to take your bins out yourself due to a physical or medical condition
• do not have anyone physically able in your household aged 14 or over
• do not have someone you can ask for help, such as a neighbour or a relative.

Once you apply, a council officer might arrange to visit you to confirm that you’re eligible. We can only offer this service to people who need it.

You can apply for yourself, or you can ask someone else (such as a neighbour or a relative) to apply on your behalf.

If applying online, you or the person applying on your behalf will need an email address.

You’ll need to tell us:

• your age
• any medical conditions
• if you’re registered as disabled
• if you live with anyone aged 14 or over and why they cannot put the bins out
• where you store your bins and any details about steps, gates, and path surfaces.

You'll need to give us:

• proof of date of birth, such as a birth certificate or passport
• proof of address, such as a utility bill or appointment letters from a hospital, GP, or dentist.

You’ll also need to give us either:

• a supporting letter from a social worker, paid carer, health worker, or housing officer
• evidence of a medical condition.

Acceptable evidence of a medical condition could include one of the following:

• proof that you receive benefits such as:
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – mobility element
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – mobility element
  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) – mobility element
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – for physical and mobility health issues
  • Universal Credit – limited capability for work related activity element
  • Pension Age Disability Payment  
  • Attendance Allowance
• hospital or GP letters detailing the condition
• NHS delivery notes for support equipment
• personal receipts for purchased support equipment as well as both of these.

You’ll be able to upload your evidence when you apply using the online form. If you prefer, you can send us photocopies of your evidence by post instead:

Apply for help to take your bins out

If you do not want to apply online, you can apply by phoning us on 0300 300 0300.

It will take up to 10 days for us to review your application.

We’ll send you a letter in the post to confirm that we’ve approved your application. This letter will also include some “Assisted Collection” stickers for you to stick on your bins. These stickers will help our bin collectors know which bins you’d like them to collect.

Your assisted collection service will begin within 2 weeks of the date shown on your approval letter.

Make sure to store your bins in a location where our bin collectors can access them. Any gates should be unlocked and in good working condition. Any dogs should be secured somewhere else to help keep our bin collectors safe.

Annual review

We review all assisted collections each year. You’ll need to tell us if your circumstances change and you no longer need help to take your bins out.

Moving house

If you move house, you need to tell us so we can update our records.

This service is free.

How the service works during school term time and holidays

During school term time

During school term time, children who attend St James' Primary or Mossvale Primary will go to Shortroods O.S.C service. Children who attend Glencoats Primary or St Fergus Primary will go to Ferguslie After School Care.

Staff from our out of school care service will pick your child up from their school at 3pm and take them to the service.

You should collect your child from the service by 5:45pm.

During school holidays and in-service days

During school holiday periods and in-service days, children at both services will go to the Shortroods campus in Mossvale and St James Primary School.

Operational hours during school holiday periods and in-service days are 8am to 5:45pm.  

Snacks will be provided at the service during term time and school holidays, but your child will need to bring their own packed lunch during school holidays and in-service days.

If you have registered your child with a private or voluntary out of school care service, you should contact them directly to find out drop off and pick up arrangements.

For more information on out of school care services in Renfrewshire, email outofschoolcareenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

More information

Find out more information on childminders, after school, holiday and activity clubs for school age children (Parent Club website).

Out of school care services provide childcare support for parents around the school day during term time and during school holidays.

The services are available for primary school pupils in Renfrewshire.

You can apply for a place for your child at our out of school care services if you are in employment, further education, or training.

Private and voluntary organisations may have different conditions to use their service.

Council-run services

We run 2 out of school care services in Renfrewshire.  

Shortroods O.S.C (Out of School Care) service is located in Mossvale Primary School and St James Primary School, Paisley. This service can accommodate children who attend either of these primary schools.

Ferguslie After School Care is located in Glencoats Primary School, Paisley. This service can accommodate children who attend Glencoats Primary School and St Fergus Primary School.

Both services are open from 3pm to 5:45pm during school term time and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

During school holidays, both services are open from 8am until 5:45pm but operate from the Shortroods campus in Mossvale Primary School and St James Primary School.

Private or voluntary organisations

There are 36 out of school care services in Renfrewshire operated by private or voluntary organisations. These are registered with the Care Inspectorate to deliver childcare for school age children.

You can see registered out of school care services (Care Inspectorate website). Type in your town or village and select 'daycare of children' to see the list of services in your area.

The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) also provides a list of childcare services for school age children provided by childminders.

You can use the find a childminder page to see the list of SCMA registered childminders in Renfrewshire (Scottish Childminding Association website).

When you apply, you’ll need to select the days of the week you would like to request out of school care at either Shortroods O.S.C (Out of School Care) or Ferguslie After School Care.

Apply online for out of school care at Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care.

If you're looking to use a private or voluntary out of school care service, you should contact them directly to discuss getting a place for your child.

We’ll contact you by phone and email to let you know if your child has been given an out of school care place at Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care.

You’ll need to complete enrolment paperwork for your child before they start with the service.

We’ll email this paperwork to you, and you can return it to us by email. You can also complete this in person at the service.

After you have completed the enrolment paperwork for Shortroods O.S.C or Ferguslie After School Care, your child can start going to the service.

Costs for out of school care may vary between service or organisation.

What wraparound care is

You may be able to buy additional childcare hours around your child’s 1140 hours of free nursery and childcare entitlement at council-run nurseries.  

This is called wraparound care.

Private and voluntary nurseries and childminders may provide wraparound places. You should contact your preferred setting directly for more information.

Who can apply

Parents or paid carers can purchase additional care around their child’s free  nursery and childcare entitlement to support their employments, training or education. 

This wraparound care can be during school term-time, extended hours during the day or during the year (such as school holidays). 

You can also purchase early learning and childcare for children from birth to 3 years of age. This will depend on what is available at each nursery.

Wraparound provision is prioritised in line with our  nursery, early learning and childcare admissions policy criteria:

How much it costs

You’ll be charged at the current rate for wraparound care set by the council. The head of your preferred nursery can tell you what this rate is.

You may be able to get a discount if:

• you are a student in full time education
• you’ll have more than one child going to the nursery or childminder
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
• Maximum working Tax Credit- income threshold applies
• Tax Credit with a Disability Element
• Council Tax Reduction Scheme
• Housing Benefit
• Employment and support allowance (Income Related)
• Attendance allowance  
• Disability Living Allowances (Child Element)
• Universal Credit - income threshold applies
• qualifying benefits in line with free school meals and / or clothing grants.

We’ll invoice you every 4 weeks.

You can make payments:

• at our council offices
• at your post office
• by telephone
• using childcare vouchers.

You'll need to complete and sign an agreement to purchase additional (wraparound) childcare before your child takes up their place. This will be a legal contract between you and Renfrewshire Council.

Your child's place will then be reviewed every 6 months.

Before you apply

You should contact the head of your child’s council-run nursery or childminder to discuss your request and your requirements first.

How to apply

 Download and fill in the application form to purchase additional (wraparound) care:

You’ll need to provide your requirements, including what additional hours of childcare you need, in your application.

You can then return this form to your child’s council-run nursery or childminder.

After you’ve applied 

The head of the nursery will review your application first. If they can offer you a place or the hours you want, your placement will then need to be approved by the Admissions Panel, who are responsible for the allocation of places.  

The head of the nursery or childminder will let you know if your application has been successful or not.

Our decision

We apply an admissions policy to ensure all applications are treated fairly and transparently.  

See our admissions policy for early learning and childcare:

If you're not happy with our decision or feel we have not considered your application properly, you should discuss this with the head of the nursery.

You can also contact Children's Services for more information or advice by:

• email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0300 300 0170.

Or write to us at:

Children's Services 
Council Headquarters 
Renfrewshire House 
Cotton Street 
Paisley 
PA1 1TZ

More information

Find out more information on childminders, after school, holiday and activity clubs for school age children (Parent Club). 

What a deferred entry to primary school is  

If your child reaches the age of 5 between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027, they should start primary school in August 2026.  

If your child is still 4 years old on the day they would start Primary 1 (P1), you can ask for an additional year of free nursery or childcare and apply to defer their entry to primary school.  

This means they will start school the following year, when they have turned 5.  

Find out more about what a free nursery or childcare place is.

Who can get an additional year at nursery or childcare 

You can ask for an additional year of free nursery or childcare if:

• they are still 4 years old on the date they are eligible to start school
• their 5th birthday is on or between the first day of term in August 2026 and 28 February 2027 and you feel they would benefit from an extra year of nursery  
• they have significant additional support needs.

Defer your child’s place at Primary School

There are 3 steps you must complete to ask for an additional year at nursery or childcare and defer your child’s entry to school:

1. contact your child's nursery or childcare centre to let them know that you would like an additional year of free early learning and childcare.
2. register your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school, but select on the form that you want to defer their start at primary school for a year. The registration period usually takes place during the first week in November. If you miss the registration period, contact your local catchment school to arrange registration.
3. apply to defer your child’s entry to primary school online.

You can ask your child's current nursery or childcare centre to help you if you have any problems completing the forms.

After you’ve applied

We’ll send you a letter to confirm that a deferred entry to school has been agreed.

Once you get your letter confirming the deferred entry, you'll need to register your child at their local school again next year. Their school place for this year will be offered to another child.

You can ask for your child to continue at their current nursery or childcare provider, or we can provide them with a funded place at one of our council-run nurseries or council-funded nurseries or childminders.  

If you want your child to go to a private nursery or childminder not funded by us, you will have to pay for this cost.

Early entry to school

If you would like your child to start school before their 5th birthday, you can find out what to consider and how to apply for early entry to school.

More information

If you would like more information or advice, you can contact our Children's Services by:

• email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone 0300 300 0170  

Or write to us at:

Children's Services
Council Headquarters
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1TZ