Renfrewshire Council has issued a formal notice requiring the owners of the derelict Royal Alexandra Infirmary (RAI) in Paisley to carry out a package of security and safety measures by Friday 31 July. The directive follows a deliberately started fire that damaged the B‑listed building on 28 June and reignites long‑running concerns about public safety, vandalism and the future of the landmark.
What the council is asking the owners to do
The authority has set out specific interventions intended to prevent unauthorised access and reduce the immediate risk posed by the damaged structure. Recommendations include re‑securing perimeter fencing, installing a two‑tier fencing system, adding Sitex sheeting to secure openings, and removing or cutting visible metal ladders used for climbing.
- Re‑secure existing fencing and introduce a two‑tier barrier;
- Install additional Sitex to block doors and windows;
- Cut or remove visible external metal ladders to deter access;
- Consider CCTV or motion sensors to monitor the site.
"We have contacted the owners of the Royal Alexandra Infirmary and outlined works which need to be undertaken to make the building safe and secure. These works must be completed by Friday, July 31."
The council has advised that CCTV or motion sensors would be an appropriate further step. It warned that if satisfactory improvements are not carried out, either the council or Police Scotland will consider stepping in to complete the work and pursue the costs from the owners.
Heritage and community context
The RAI, a B‑listed structure that has suffered from neglect since a major blaze in 2022, remains a focal point for local unease. Nearby residents have repeatedly expressed frustration at the building becoming a magnet for vandals and thrill‑seekers. Planning permissions for a multi‑million‑pound redevelopment into flats were granted in May 2024, but the future of that scheme was put into question by the latest fire and ongoing security failures.
Local councillors have publicly urged stronger measures to protect the site. Questions remain for the project's architects and owners about whether the approved redevelopment is still intended to proceed and, if so, how the recent damage will affect timescales and finances.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 31 July |
| Security measures | Fencing, Sitex, ladder removal, CCTV/motion sensors |
| Enforcement | Council or Police Scotland may intervene and recover costs |
For residents and passers‑by, the immediate question is whether the steps demanded will be implemented promptly to reduce risk. For those tracking the long‑term future of the RAI, the episode underlines the fragility of heritage assets left vacant and highlights the tensions between preservation, redevelopment and public safety.
Renfrewshire Council has contacted the site's owners and awaits confirmation that the specified works will be finished to a satisfactory standard by the end of the month.
