Developers of a former East Renfrewshire care home have gone back to the drawing board and devised an alternative plan after listening to concerns from residents.

Dundas Estates is now seeking views on a fresh proposal to build 18 detached five-bedroom homes in landscaped grounds on the site of the former Mearnskirk House Care Home.

The move comes after some residents hit out at the original plans to create 65 apartments.

A virtual consultation highlighted views held by neighbours relating to the design and density of the apartment scheme.

They asked for a more traditional design, including pitched roofs instead of flat roofs, red brick to align with adjacent listed buildings and a stronger frontage to Mearnskirk Road.

The alternative proposal also addresses concerns about car parking and increased traffic.

Mike Andrews, land and development manager at Dundas Estates, told the Barrhead News: “We have listened to the local community and have devised this alternative proposal, which we feel goes a long way to taking on board their views about how they would prefer the development of the former Mearnskirk House site to proceed.

“We believe an alternative style of development, which is lower in density, is potentially achievable and is sympathetic to and respectful of the setting of the former hospital buildings and the wider Mearnskirk Estate.”

Developers have also pledged to identify a suitable location for a much-loved bronze statue of Peter Pan which was temporarily removed from the Newton Mearns site for safe keeping prior to demolition of the care home.

It is expected that, once views have been gathered on the new proposal, a formal planning application will be submitted to East Renfrewshire Council.

For more information on the plans, visit www.mearnskirkroad.info.