THE announcement of plans for a new £12million retail park sparked concern at the latest meeting of Barrhead Community Council.

Developers want to transform a derelict site once occupied by Nestle into a retail park with shops, a pub and two drive-thru options – one for food and the other for coffee.

Retail chain B&M has already been announced as the first tenant at the development, with a planning application due to be heard by East Renfrewshire Council next month.

That would allow work to start on the site early next year – but members of the community council believe more consultation is needed.

And concerns were also expressed about what impact the retail park could have on existing Barrhead businesses.

Rosemarie McInally, the community council’s vice-chair, said: “This is a major application, so there should have been a presentation in the town to show people what they were proposing and they should have contacted the community council.

“I don’t think any of this has happened. I was quite astounded when I heard about it.”

Mrs McInally, a Barrhead business owner, added that she has doubts about the benefits the development would bring to the local economy.

She said: “We’ve got two supermarkets, three chemists, plenty of fast food places. Do we need any more fast food places?

“I know people are saying it’s going to bring jobs to the area but, if it means we lose jobs in the Main Street, what then? I think we have to look at this really carefully.”

However, East Renfrewshire Council said the plans were properly advertised and a consultation was carried out two years ago.

A spokesperson added: “Prior to the submission of the current planning application for the Nestle site, the applicant carried out the necessary consultation under the pre-application procedures.

“A drop-in event was held on December 1, 2016, from 3pm until 8pm, at The Foundry in Barrhead and was attended by three members of the public.

“Barrhead Community Council has been consulted on the ongoing planning application and still has time to make a representation through the council’s planning portal.”

A spokesperson for developers London & Scottish Investments declined to comment on the community council’s concerns.

However, the firm has previously said the project will be a major boost for Barrhead, bringing around 100 new jobs to the area.