FRESH plans for a partial demolition of Paisley’s Kelvin House – which would keep its façade – have been brought forward by Renfrewshire Council.

The local authority now wants to knock down the “deteriorating” two-storey tower building and bridge link, which form the southern portion of the C-listed structure in Marshall’s Lane.

It said this would allow “assessment” of whether the front can be retained as part of a potential redevelopment of the site, alongside neighbouring B-listed Forbes Place, and mitigate the visual impact on the character of the conservation area.

The latest application, which is expected to be called into the planning board for consideration, comes months after a decision on the future of the property was delayed by elected members, who were not impressed with previous demolition proposals.

The revised plans have been questioned by Councillor Will Mylet, who is an SNP rep for Paisley East and Central.

He said: “It should be sold and then the developer does this stuff.

“I don’t know why the council is trying to basically plan something for a developer. Why is that happening?

“It just seems a bit odd that the council is putting in planning applications to demolish something to sell to a developer.

“Surely the developer buys it and puts forward their proposals and what they’re going to do with it?”

The local authority is trying to pave the way for the site to be brought back into use, with developer Nixon Blue planning riverside flats.

A council spokesperson said: “Kelvin House and the adjacent building on Forbes Place occupy a prime slot overlooking the river and some of the town’s landmark buildings.

“The site has been marketed on a number of occasions in recent years and we are keen to see it brought back into use.

“The building remains in the council’s ownership and the developers Nixon Blue are our preferred bidder for the site.

“We have submitted an application for partial demolition of the site, covering the southern portion of the Kelvin House building and the old depot behind it on Marshall’s Lane.

“Doing so would give the developers more clarity over the future of the site, which they need before any sale could be completed, as well as allowing us to improve the look of that area.

“The application does not include the main Kelvin House building, which would allow the developers to continue the work they are doing to assess whether the frontage of this could be incorporated into their redevelopment plans, which will also include bringing the historic buildings on Forbes Place back into use.”

Nixon Blue has been contacted for comment.