Renfrewshire councillor Andy Doig believes that a new project will be part of "a much bigger picture."

The independent councillor is pushing for volunteer group Kilbarchan Smile to receive funding "as soon as possible."

Proposals put forward by the group have suggested that a heritage park should be created in the village which will aim to celebrate and teach the rich history of Kilbarchan.

The council’s Communities and Housing Board approved a recommendation from council officers that the environmental group be directed to the Village Investment Fund to get £23k of funding to remediate a small park at the centre of the village.

The Gazette: Picture of Cllr Andy Doig outside the iconic Steeple Hall in Kilbarchan.Picture of Cllr Andy Doig outside the iconic Steeple Hall in Kilbarchan. (Image: Supplied)

Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch Ward said: “It was made clear in the board papers that the officers were sympathetic to the project but I want to stress to Cllr Robert Innes (convener of the villages' Local Area Partnership) the wider importance of this project not just to Kilbarchan but to other villages in West Renfrewshire as well.

"The council’s Tourism Strategy is officially reaching out from Paisley to rural Renfrewshire and this small park project is part of a much bigger picture.

“For example, the application by Kilbarchan Smiles refers to the creation of a heritage park, this would tie in very well with current consultation in the village about the future use for a renovated Steeple Hall, with many Habbies being of the view that a heritage-based option for the Steeple Hall would be very positive.

"This new park could also link in with both the Steeple Hall and the Weaver’s Cottage.

“The use of this park for poetry also feeds into the cultural and arts narrative which could be part of a rejuvenated Steeple Hall.

"Kilbarchan is rich in poetry and has a plaque in Church Street to Robert Allan, the famous weaver poet who was a friend of Robert Tannahill.

"Allan spoke up in favour of the social demands of the radical weavers of 1820 so there is a wealth of local culture to dig into."