Renfrewshire Council has granted planning permission, subject to conditions, for an eight‑bay electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Phoenix Retail Park in Paisley. The proposal, submitted by Tesla Motors and supported by agent Enzygo, will occupy an existing run of parking bays adjacent to Starbucks off Griffen Avenue.
Site, design and integration
The planned installation will include a substation located to the north‑west of the charging array, close to the Nando’s unit within the retail park. Vehicular access to the facility will be retained using existing arrangements. A council report assessing the application noted the equipment’s visual and functional compatibility with the retail park and its surroundings.
“The development represents appropriate supporting infrastructure within an established commercial location and is consistent with the spatial strategy and relevant policies of the Local Development Plan.”
The council’s assessment added that the hub would not produce a substantial increase in vehicle traffic within the centre and that existing pedestrian and vehicular infrastructure would be sufficient to accommodate the development. Landscaping and existing site infrastructure were judged adequate to assist the integration of the chargers into the wider built environment.
Project specifics
- Number of charging units: 8
- Unit height: Approximately 2.2 metres each
- Location: Car park adjacent to Starbucks, Phoenix Retail Park, Griffen Avenue, Paisley
- Substation position: North‑west of the hub, near Nando’s
The planning, design and access statement accompanying the application argued the development aligns with the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan by supporting sustainable transport and contributing to low‑carbon infrastructure. It framed the chargers as infrastructure that enhances the functioning of an existing local commercial centre.
Local context and consequences
For residents and shoppers in Paisley and wider Renfrewshire, the hub represents additional publicly accessible rapid charging capacity within a town‑centre retail environment. The siting within a well‑used retail park seeks to combine everyday journeys and shopping trips with opportunities to charge vehicles, reflecting a broader shift in transport provision toward electrification.
While the council’s report anticipates no major traffic impacts, the project will require coordination around the car park layout, signage and ongoing maintenance of the charging equipment and substation. The decision also signals the council’s willingness to permit private operators to deliver EV infrastructure where it complements commercial centres and the Local Development Plan’s objectives.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tesla Motors (applicant) |
| Number of bays | 8 |
| Unit height | ~2.2 metres |
| Substation | To north‑west of hub, near Nando’s |
Next steps will include discharge of any planning conditions imposed by the council before installation can proceed. Local motorists, businesses and councillors will be watching detail such as operating hours, pricing and the physical layout as the project progresses from planning approval to construction and operation.
