PLANS to challenge a Scottish Government decision to deny Braehead town centre status have been rubber stamped by Renfrewshire councillors.

The shopping centre's bosses insist the change is "crucial" to smooth the way for a £200m extension, which could create 5000 jobs.

However, a Scottish Government Reporter recently ruled against the change to the local development plan.

At a meeting in ­Paisley yesterday, Renfrewshire's planning board indicated they will not make alterations demanded by the Scottish Government because the ruling is "based on conclusions that could not reasonably have been reached based on the evidence".

A council paper stated: "With regard to Braehead's Town Centre status, it is considered that the Reporter has clearly erred."

The council's head of planning, Fraser ­Carlin, described the decision as "unfair and unreasonable".

A Scottish Government spokeswoman ­dismissed the claims.

She said: "The reporters found the Braehead centre does not have the mix of uses and attributes ascribed to a town centre by Scottish Planning Policy. The council may ­depart from the recommendations only in ­specific defined circumstances."

Renfrewshire Council's leader Mark Macmillan said: "We disagree with the Reporter and we have authorised the Director of Development and Housing Services to prepare a statement explaining why modifications to the plan have not been made."

INTU regional director with responsibility for Braehead, Peter Beagley, said: "We can only reiterate Braehead already has the attributes of a town centre in planning terms and the town centre status is crucial to be able to deliver 5000 new jobs through £200m of private investment at Braehead."

peter.swindon@ eveningtimes.co.uk