DEVELOPERS are revving up a £100million plan to transform the former Rootes Hillman Imp production plant at Linwood by unveiling details of phase one.

Proposals have been revealed for the start of a public consultation, which is being held before a planning application is lodged with Renfrewshire Council.

Miller Developments is in talks with a house builder over plans for up to 40 homes to be constructed on the site of the old Hillman Imp paint shop. The site lies on the west side of Linwood Road, directly opposite Asda.

Officials hope to submit an application for a £12m mixed development of 30-40 homes with the council within two months and to begin ground work in late summer or early autumn.

Phase one could be completed within 18 months of the start date.

The developer has also persuaded Cloverleaf Restaurants, a chain based in Blackburn, Lancashire, to expand into Scotland for the first time by opening an outlet at the junction of Linwood Road and Burnbrae Drive.

Jonathan Webster, Cloverleaf spokesman, said: "Our proposed restaurant will create 70 jobs."

Full details of the first phase will be publicised tomorrow when the public consultation is held at Tannahill Centre in Blackstoun Road, Linwood, from 10am-3pm.

David Milloy, joint managing director at Miller Developments, said: "We are keen to obtain the feedback from the community on our proposals for the regeneration of the site.

"This first phase will see the introduction of residential properties and a family restaurant.

"We are in talks with a national housebuilder on the first phase of housing on this part of the development and are delighted to have attracted Cloverleaf to the site.

"This forms an important part of our overall plans for the site, which will bring much-needed jobs and investment to the area."

"Community feedback is very important to us and we will be able to incorporate suggestions or ideas before lodging planning applications."

The developer owns 120 acres that once formed the Rootes car factory. Another 80 acres have already been developed and includes a supermarket, housing and a retail park.

Miller believes the regeneration of the former Hillman Imp complex could cost up to £100m.

The programme will take years and could create hundreds of homes, along with hotels, pubs and restaurants, as well as industrial and commercial units.

The redevelopment of the site is supported by Tom Johnston, president of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

He said: "These proposals show confidence in the area, which is supported by investment and job creation. That, in turn, will deliver a number of economic benefits for Renfrewshire."

Transforming the site into a car production plant in the 1960s cost £23m (equivalent to £413m in today's money) and the first Hillman Imp took to the road in 1963.

The factory employed more than 9000 workers but was sold to American rival Chrysler in 1976 when the Rootes Group got into financial difficulty.

Two years later the Linwood site was bought by car maker Peugeot-Citroen. However, Scotland's only car plant ceased production in 1981 when the French owner decided to shut it.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk

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