Plans to build a tyre recycling plant in Linwood – a move that would create scores of jobs – have been given the green light by councillors.
SSH Recycling landed the go ahead for the project in Lyon Road after elected members pushed back against advice to reject permission on the basis that the location was deemed susceptible to flooding.
However, Councillor Jim Paterson, the planning convener, confirmed the decision of Tuesday’s board will be called in by Scottish ministers as the objection was raised by a statutory consultee in the form of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
The development would see the brownfield site transformed into a facility which SSH has said would be capable of processing 100,000 tonnes of waste tyres each year.
The company also estimated it would generate around 45 full and part-time jobs once operational, with around 55 positions during construction.
SNP councillor Bruce MacFarlane, who moved that the application be granted, said: “We were talking about net zero earlier and how important it is we reach that goal, I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea for Renfrewshire.
“We have all probably had experiences in our own ward of how difficult it is to get rid of tyres that have been illegally fly-tipped – this would provide a solution. It would provide jobs.”
A report presented to the board said the applicant identified measures which addressed flood risk, including elevating staff and office facilities above the predicted peak risk level, placing equipment within processing buildings on raised decks, designing buildings with large openings to allow flood water to pass through during a storm and having a bespoke suds drainage system.
Councillor MacFarlane added: “In terms of the flooding concerns, I believe the applicant has made reasonable adjustments within their application to mitigate that.
“Taking that all into account, I’m quite happy to move.”
Labour councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, a Linwood representative who seconded the motion, added: “It is something I would want to approve.
“I don’t think that the potential risks outlined by SEPA would justify refusing this application on balance.
“I agree with the comments that given the environmental benefits that we would see within Renfrewshire due to the nature of the recycling business that is being proposed, the clear employment benefits that could come to the area, and industrialised use of a brownfield site, there’s so much speaking in favour of this application that we should be giving it the go ahead.”
Fellow board members agreed and the recommendation to refuse was overturned, with the application granted.
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