Tesco has now received confirmation that Scottish Ministers will not be calling in the planning application approved by Renfrewshire Council in December.

Wendy Alexander MSP said,
“I am delighted things are moving forward. The credit crunch cannot be allowed to slow the pace after all the years of delay the community has endured.”

“There are no more planning hurdles to overcome. I hope Tesco, the Council and the Health Board will all now move as quickly as possible to tie up the legal details, and get the demolition and new build underway”

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Brediland Road Bus Service

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Wendy Alexander returned over 500 stamps to Linwood campaigners for development today.

Wendy and her office snipped over 500 stamps from postcards sent to her by Linwood constituents lobbying for the rebuilding of the shopping centre.

Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“One good turn deserves another! At Linwood Elderly Forum I promised the ladies from the Parish Church that I would donate all stamps from our office to their stamp appeal for the local church funds. Today we delivered over 500 stamps back – hopefully they can now deliver for Linwood again!”

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’sorry undergoing amendment at 05/06/09′

’sorry - site amendments in progress 05/06/09′

Campaigning politician Wendy Alexander delivered this morning over 750 letters to Renfrewshire Council – letters she has gathered from Linwood residents asking them to “Give us our new Town Centre ASAP”

Wendy said

“Renfrewshire council planners have had the application for a new town centre for over 7 months.  They have had time enough to give it the go-ahead. People in Linwood are getting tired of the delays.

I have collected letters from hundreds of residents to demonstrate to the Council, that the people of the town wanted them to get on with it. My postcard campaign has had an amazing response. Nearly one in four Linwood homes has written back to me.  Today we are delivering over 750 Linwood letters to the Planning Department calling on them to “Say yes now to a new Linwood”

Wendy said thank you to all Linwood residents who have supported the campaign for a better Linwood.  And she issued a “Linwood shopping list” to keep the authorities on their toes

“The delays must stop. Here is my “Linwood shopping list”

1.    The Council’s planning board must give the go-ahead to the new shopping centre
2.    The legal transfer from the council to Tesco must now happen as quickly as possible
3.    The council tenants above the shopping centre should  be re-housed ASAP
4.    Tesco must start on site as soon as they can
5.    all the remaining shops to be temporarily re-housed nearby so these businesses can continue trading during the building period.
6.    Council to reverse its proposed closure of Linwood’s Daycentre – Kilallan

Editor’s note: see attached photo Wendy Alexander – over 750 A6 sized postcards (all stamped & posted into Wendy by 750 Linwood residents)  strung together with members of the Linwood Elderly Forum on Monday 1st Dec in Linwood Shopping Centre. Later postcard details forwarded to Planning Department.

Linwood Update December 08

Linwood residents have every reason to feel betrayed.

Previously when they were forced to leave their own drop in centre in Linwood town centre they were promised new premises in Linwood and now they face the prospect of being moved again.

It is deeply ironic that in Remembrance week the generation of heroes face this slap in the face from the SNP council.

It is a disgusting waste of money that the Kilallan kitchen was done up last month and new double glazing installed this week to a building paid for by the council tax but planned for closure and then demolition in the Spring.

Talented Linwood kids have been brushing up on their art skills to win new equipment for their schools.

Youngsters have been taking part in Tesco’s “Linwood’s Future: Our Town in 10 Years Time” poster competition.

The supermarket will shortly be redeveloping Linwood town centre and asked local primary pupils to illustrate their vision for the town’s future.

Gemma Gallacher, 10, of Our Lady of Peace Primary School, was the overall winner, scooping the star prize of 10 000 Tesco Computers for Schools vouchers.

Gemma’s poster depicts Linwood as an environmentally conscious town, with new trees, wind powered turbines, and shops and houses with solar panelled roofs. It also features a new park and cycle track and, of course, a brand new shopping centre.

The P6 pupil said: “I am very happy to have won new equipment for my school.

“I am going to spend my £50 Tesco voucher on clothes for my holiday and books.”

Other winners included and Tommy Willock, 8, Class 3, Clippens School and Shannon McBride, 5, P1, Woodlands Primary, and Rebecca Dunn, P5b, East Fulton Primary. They each received £50 Tesco vouchers.

Wendy Alexander had the difficult job of judging the competition.

Ms Alexander said: “I was very impressed by the high standard of the entries I received.

“Choosing an overall winner was very tough, but the design, imagination and environmental awareness in Gemma’s work gave her a slight edge. Well done to her, the other winners and all the kids who took part.

“The interest youngsters have shown in the development of their town bodes well for the future of Linwood.”

The Paisley North MSP was responding to the publication of Alex Salmond’s plans for his first 100 days of government.

She said the document detailed clearly that the SNP would prioritise breaking up Britain over improving education – and at a cost of at least £5000 more for every family in Scotland each year.

Ms Alexander said:“The SNP have made it clear that they believe breaking up Britain is more important than making Scotland’s education system the best in the world.

“The costs of their plans for the first 100 days of government runs into billions and will mean every local family having to cough up at least £5000 more every year. Their first 100 days will mean nothing but tax and turmoil for hard-working families.

“Local communities deserve a government that will look after their interests and focus on building up Scotland, not breaking up Britain. I urge Renfrewshire residents to reject the SNP’s plans on 3rd May.”