A SOCIAL landlord is to be paid tens of thousands of pounds after East Renfrewshire Council pulled the plug on a Neilston housing development.

Local authority bosses are expected to rubber-stamp a payment of £87,000 to Barrhead Housing Association (BHA) this week.

In exchange, BHA will hand over site investigations and studies in relation to a plot at Kirkstyle Lane, also known as ‘Pig Square’.

They had planned on building 14 homes at a cost of up to £1.6million – something which was backed by the council originally.

But in October last year, the local authority withdrew its support after a feasibility study into a shared education campus in Neilston was commissioned.

And in a report to go in front of cabinet members this week, Andrew Cahill, East Renfrewshire’s director of environment, said: “The work associated with this study is wide-ranging and the scope includes both of the current primary schools, the existing nursery and nearby properties used by the Leisure Trust. This study is currently ongoing.

“Early indications are that the Kirkstyle Lane site is likely to be integral to the scope of the project, either on a temporary or permanent basis, should the project proceed.”

BHA has submitted a planning application for the council-owned site but, according to Mr Cahill, has expressed a willingness to withdraw that. The association has confirmed that its total prior development costs incurred were in excess of £106,000.

Mr Cahill said talks with BHA are focusing on how the council can support the association’s ambitions for a longer-term residential development programme.

If approved, BHA will hand over topographical surveys, engineering reports, ground and CCTV investigations, architectural development services, geo-environmental and ground investigation studies.

Quantity surveying services, flood and drainage and transport studies, bat surveys and financial modelling costs will also be given to the council.

Mr Cahill added: “Should the council wish to consider its future development options for the site then this is the type of information which would have to be commissioned. It is proposed therefore that the council acquire the ownership of these studies from Barrhead Housing Association at a cost of around £87,000, which is the basic cost that Barrhead Housing Association incurred in commissioning them.

“Barrhead Housing Association can produce detailed receipts and would be required to do so prior to any payment being made.”

Shirley Robison, BHA chief executive, said: “We were instructed by the council to take this forward, then the council withdrew. That’s why we incurred the costs.

“We are asking the council to make payment of the abortive fees. The BHA governing board does not believe our tenants’ rental income should be responsible for such abortive fees.

“Ultimately it will be the council that decides what happens. We’ve got a good working relationship with them and, of course, we’re hoping to continue that.”

It comes just a week after members of Neilston Community Council accused BHA of “throwing a tantrum” after the social landlord sent the council an £87,000 bill for the site.

Community council chairman John Scott insisted the council should not be paying the bill and said BHA had shown a “lack of judgement” in its plans.

East Renfrewshire Council said it is “fully committed to agreeing the best way forward” for the plot.