The 52 flats – currently with commercial properties below them - are in five closes at 3, 5, 7 and 9 Orchard Street and 33 Causeyside Street.

Paisley Housing Association will purchase the flats from existing owners and once the refurbishment is complete these flats will be for social housing. Owners can also participate in the project with grant assistance from Renfrewshire Council.

A key advantage of the project is that it transforms the run-down appearance of the closes, back courts and the buildings themselves while preserving part of Paisley’s rich tenement heritage.

This week Paisley Housing Association praised the willingness of Renfrewshire Council to make the initiative happen while also thanking the Scottish Government which is key to funding the acquisition strategy. The work is part of a Comprehensive Tenement Improvement Project.

Paisley Housing Association has been in discussion with around 80% of owners about the purchase of their properties and is keen to talk to all of them about how this can be done successfully in the next few months.
 
A total of 47 properties will be available for rent when work is complete after some of the ground floor commercial properties – some of which are vacant - are also turned into homes.

The total cost of the project will be £6.6million - bringing much needed investment to Paisley town centre.

Kathleen McCutcheon, chief executive of Paisley Housing Association, hailed the development as a welcome boost for the town. She said: “There is no doubt that these tenements require improvement and we are very pleased indeed to have reached agreement with Renfrewshire Council that they should be part of a Comprehensive Tenement Improvement Project.

“Paisley is renowned for its impressive tenement heritage and any initiative which preserves this is to be welcomed. We readily acknowledge the willingness of Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government to work with us to make this happen.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities, housing and planning board, said: “The tenements in Orchard Street are fine examples of Paisley’s wonderful built heritage and sit in a great location – but the buildings themselves are in need of improvement.
 
“This project will allow Paisley Housing Association to co-ordinate comprehensive refurbishment across the block which will transform the standard of accommodation in these traditional tenements and create homes fit for future generations.
 
“We and Paisley Housing Association have been engaging with residents and owners in this street for a number of years now and we are pleased the scheme is now ready to move forward.”