The green space on the southern bank of the Clyde in Erskine is a unique and much beloved area for solemn walks and picturesque sights. And not just for the local residents: people from the whole of Renfrewshire and even the world (why else is there a hotel?) love to come there and walk their dogs, enjoy the scenery, go solitary walks.

Persimmon Homes evidently does not care, as they plan to overrun this beautiful area with 250 unnecessary homes that no one asked for, and popular opinion in the area is clearly against. 

Despite this, Renfrewshire council has recommended that that plans go ahead. The only roadblock currently stopping them is mere delays made by local councillors. 

It is often hard to convince bureaucrats of the sentimental value of things, so let's go over concrete facts.

1. As is obvious, the local infrastructure is not there, and even if it was implemented it would burden the area with more traffic.

2. It would necessitate an expansion to St John Bosco Primary School to accommodate the extra children (and that was only recently renovated!). 

3. It would destroy the local flora and fauna. Deer and the such wander through this area.

4. The risk has already been highlighted that the distillery across the water would lead to the growth of black fungus on the homes if they were built. Not pleasant!

5. Erskine was ranked the second most desirable postcode in Scotland by the Royal Mail in 2014. No doubt the exquisite natural scenery had a significant part in this. If you remove what makes places like this special by building over them with concrete, it, unsurprisingly, no longer makes them special.

It is hard to justify opposing expansion, especially in an area people desire to live, but when the landscape is so unique it entirely alters the equation. The houses recently built in Bishopton by the old military base, for example, were fine as they were built on effective wasteland. This is not the case.

Hopefully if there is enough vocal opposition against it and support for this petition we can make it very well and clear to Mr Persimmon Homes that they are not welcome.