Maidenhill master plan makes waves in East Ren

The authority held a public meeting on the mixed use development last Thursday.

Included is a mosque, replacing an earlier proposal to build at Eastwood High.

A representative of the East Renfrewshire Muslim Forum told The Extra that the community’s preferred site remains at Eastwood, but that a Scottish government reporter’s decision is expected in favour of Maidenhill.

He added: “While the Maidenhill site’s potential confirmation will be a positive step forward, the time frame is unclear and will require continuing consultations with the council and community.”

An ERC spokeswoman replied: “The council is fully supportive of a mosque in East Ren and to working with the Muslim community to achieve this.”

Letters have been sent to residents, and an online survey will run until August 15.

However, in a letter to The Extra last week, Conservative councillor Jim Swift wrote: “The event [was] during the Glasgow Fair. You could not pick a better time to slip a contentious consultation under the radar. Newton Mearns has grown massively, but infrastructure has not increased.”

Convener for infrastructure Tony Buchanan responded (p24): “The event was very well attended — this shows that residents were available to come along.

“The point of community engagement is to show that all the infrastructure will be provided.”

The council survey is available at Get Involved East Renfrewshire.