Dozens of new jobs could be created through electric bus charging hub after Renfrewshire Council green light
Dozens of new jobs could be created through the introduction of an electric bus charging hub in Paisley after plans were given the green light by Renfrewshire Council.
Ember Core has been granted planning permission, subject to conditions, to develop the facility on brownfield land to the southwest of St James Interchange.
The Edinburgh-based company, an electric coach operator, will use the site as a base for charging its vehicles and expects it to support approximately 60 new jobs, including driving roles, hub support and operational staff.
An operational statement submitted with the application explained: "Ember, the UK's first 100 per cent electric coach operator, based in Edinburgh, plans to establish a new hub at West March Road, Paisley, to be used as a base for charging its vehicles.
"This hub will allow Ember to establish new long-distance bus services from Glasgow Airport and Glasgow, for example, to Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh."
It continued: "Once fully operational, Ember anticipates that this site will support approximately 60 new jobs. This includes driving roles as well as hub support and operational staff. All roles will pay well above the real living wage.
"The proposed site is a brownfield site close to Junction 29 of the M8. The location has been chosen due to its proximity to Glasgow Airport and Paisley, both attractive passenger destinations."
Ember will primarily use the site for parking and charging buses and there will be a total of 18 parking bays, including space for up to 11 buses to charge simultaneously.
During the day, an average of two to four buses are likely to be charging at any one time, with all bays only occupied overnight.
The company also intends to add staff parking, a welfare unit for driver breaks and a gantry bus wash to make sure its fleet can be cleaned frequently.
The nearest residential properties, which are found at St James Avenue, are located in excess of 200 metres to the southeast of the site.
A report of handling by the council's chief planning officer said: "Given the nature and scale of the proposed development, it is considered that it would be compatible with the surrounding area without detriment to amenity."
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