Architects submit bid for planning permission in principle for 21 units at Speirsfield House.
17:09, 11 May 2026Updated 17:09, 11 May 2026
Speirsfield House in Stevenson Street, Paisley(Image: Andrew Neil)
Initial plans have been unveiled to transform the site of a fire-damaged former nursing home in Paisley – slated for demolition – into a residential development.
Architects have submitted an application for planning permission in principle, on behalf of their client, for 21 units in the grounds of the B-listed Speirsfield House in Stevenson Street.
If the proposal secures the relevant approvals and the project progresses, it’s expected to consist of 12 flats and five detached and four terraced houses.
It comes after listed building consent was given, subject to conditions, to flatten the late 19th century sandstone villa at Renfrewshire Council’s planning and climate change policy board in November.
Councillor Bruce McFarlane, an SNP representative for Paisley Southeast, said at that meeting: “I think it’s really disappointing that yet again a historic building in Paisley has come before this board for demolition … I don’t know where it leaves us as a board.
“It is what it is but I just think it’s a really sorry state of affairs that we continue to allow developers to buy these sort of buildings, let them fall into disrepair and then know that the planning authority is limited in what action we can take.”
Reports had been submitted with the application for listed building consent which estimated the cost of a full restoration of Speirsfield House as well as a façade retention as part of a residential development but these options were not considered to be “economically viable”.
At the time, a report of handling by the council’s chief planning officer said: “It is clear that the restoration of Speirsfield House for use as a single dwelling would not be economically viable.
“The option of retaining the façade and incorporating it into a future development on the site also has been explored but would not be economically viable.
“All reasonable efforts have therefore been made to retain, reuse and/or adapt the listed building.”
The Victorian mansion, designed by architect John Hutchison, is thought to have been built around 1874 but is now a shadow of its former self.
Fire crews attended in May last year to tackle a blaze. This followed a fire which took place at the site in August 2024.
Last week, the local authority notified neighbours of the site about the plans for a residential development and invited them to comment if they wished to do so.
A decision on the application, which is expected to be made by planning officers, will be confirmed at a later date.