THE owners of a Barrhead newsagent are attempting to build 12 flats on the site of a former nursery.

Jafar’s, in Arthurlie Avenue, has applied for planning permission for the new development in neighbouring Burnbank Avenue.

A meeting of Barrhead Community Council heard that some residents are opposed to the development.

The site, on the corner of Auchenback Park, was the home of the old Arthurlie Nursery, before it became offices for East Renfrewshire Council (ERC) and was eventually demolished last year.

Now homeowners have submitted their letters of opposition to ERC as they feel the development, which will be two-storeys high, will hamper their views over the park and have a serious impact on parking.

Rita Connelly, acting chairwoman of the community council’s planning committee, said: “A few residents have said that they are not happy with the proposals.

“To fit 12 flats there is obviously going to be significantly bigger than the nursery that was on the site before.

“There are also questions over whether or not the parking provision is enough for this kind of development.”

The application has been submitted by agent and architect Iain McCowan on behalf of Jafar’s Newsagent, which sits directly opposite the site.

ERC’s planning committee will make a decision on the application in due course.

This is the second application to be submitted for the area in recent weeks.

Planning permission is also being sought, by a different developer, to turn a former hairdressers into a fast food outlet takeaway.

That building, which sits next to Jafar’s, has been empty for more than five years.

Residents previously campaigned against the unit being turned into a food outlet. However, planning permission was eventually granted.

That planning permission has now elapsed as no buyer was found for the location and new planning permission is being sought.