Shanks Industrial Park fires: Barrhead residents demand change as firebugs strike twice

Emergency crews have been called to the derelict site twice in the past week after fires were deliberately started.

The most recent incident took place on Monday night, when four fire engines were called to the scene to extinguish plastic piping that had been set alight.

That led to travel disruption in the area, with thick smoke seen billowing over Barrhead for several hours.

It is the latest in a series of problems that have plagued the site since the Shanks factory closed in 1992.

Property developer Cruden Estates has plans to transform the site into a major housing development but there is growing frustration at a lack of progress.

Barrhead resident Karen McDonald said: “We’ve been hearing for 19 years the council is in talks and a builder is interested.

“It’s a disgrace and there is always somebody lighting a fire which gets blamed on the kids but it’s not them that dump the rubbish.

“Cruden need to be told to start building or sell the land pronto.”

Barrhead councillor Kenny Hay added: “Fire-starting has always been an issue at the site. It’s easy to get access there and it will be more of an issue as the weather gets better.

“For residents, it is a total pain. The quicker work begins, the quicker this issue will be resolved.”

Cruden hope to turn the derelict space – which has lain unused for more than two decades since the famous factory shut down – into a large-scale residential area.

However, the area has been labelled as the go-to for flytippers and firestarters to congregate, with incidents increasing during the warmer weather.

East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that a proposal of application notice has been submitted for residential development to this site.

A spokeswoman said: “Although the minimum statuary consultation period with the local community of 12 weeks has passed, no planning application has been submitted.”

No-one at Cruden Estates was available for comment.