Concerns have broken out that a key part of redevelopment plans in Renfrewshire will be delayed.

The Glasgow Evening Times has reported that defence company BAE Systems, has tried to amend plans for a new town on the site of a former Royal Ordnance factory at Bishopton, allowing it to defer building a required motorway junction.

As a requirement of planning permission for the company's 2500-home project, BAE Systems is required to build a junction linking the town to the M8 before 451 houses are built and sold.

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But the company has now asked Renfrewshire Council to allow it to delay the junction until a further 200 houses have been sold.

This could have dangerous repercussions as the planners recommended it for safety on local roads.

A campaign group that formed against the development, Bishopton Action Group, said the announcement "did not surprise" them as the road layout plans would be expensive.

But the firm insisted the plans will go ahead and pointed out it has already started creating new road layouts at the northern end of Bishopton.

Lynda Johnstone, Bishopton Project Director, said: "We understand the concerns relating to traffic."

A spokesman for Bishopton Action Group said: "Obviously to extend the junction it's going to cost them a lot of money, and they want to defer that as long as possible.

BAE Systems has invited residents and businesses to an exhibition of the proposed timescale amendment."

It will take place on Friday June 29 at the Gatehouse in Bishopton.

(NE)