ALLY McCOIST’S plans to build a luxury housing development should be stopped amid fears it could impact bats, an objector has claimed.
The football pundit, 62, hopes to build 38 houses and flats of contemporary design on a vacant site in upmarket Bridge of Weir.
The ex-footballer is part of a group aiming to develop near his home in Renfrewshire[/caption]
The bridge of Weir site has been ear-marked for homes by the ex-Rangers striker[/caption]
The site is described as ‘effectively open countryside’ in documents submitted to Renfrewshire Council which also state plans mark a ‘logical extension’ to the residential area.
The proposals include details for nine detached houses, six semi-detached houses and 23 flats split into three individual blocks.
But they have attracted scores of objections from furious opponents who claim it will damage the area.
One local has written to the council claiming the project would impact the area’s bat population.
Kenneth Gibb, of Bridge of Weir, claimed his garden has been visited by bats for decades in the summer.
He wrote: “I can vouch that there has been a resident bat population living in these trees for the last 45 years and in the summer months every year bats have visited our garden.
“Two bat surveys have been carried out by Starling Learning, the first in July 2023 and the latest on 25 September 2024.
“Both surveys independently confirm that there are bats resident in the bank of trees located on the south boundary of the site which lies in the Ranfurly conservation area.
“The surveys clearly contradict the applicant’s position regarding the existence of bats living in the site.
“The resident bat population will be materially and adversely affected by this development.”
Rangers hero McCoist runs development firm James (Glasgow) Ltd along with his associate Jeffrey East.
The firm was set up in 2017 and is involved in the buying and selling of real estate.
James (Glasgow) Ltd said their proposal had been ‘informed by sustainable design principles’ and would not impact the village.
A planning document on their behalf also said a survey had highlighted ‘appropriate mitigation’ for dealing with and minimising disruption to bats including installing bat boxes in woodland.
Opponents say bats and wildlife on-site mean would be negatively affected[/caption]
Bats are a protected species under UK law and it is illegal to kill, possess or handle them without a licence or to cause them harm or disturb their habitat in any way.
The architects behind the plans have been asked for comment.
Renfrewshire Council will make a decision in due course.
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