The owner of Braehead has said it hopes construction work on a £200 million extension could begin as early as 2016.
Intu Properties are currently waiting on the outcome of a public
enquiry into the proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) for Renfrew.
However, they have planned a starting date for construction of the
expansion work of between 2016 and 2018.
The extension, between the existing Xscape facility and the
shopping centre, would include a department store plus additional
shops and leisure facilities.
The project also includes a mixed-use arena - for ice and other
sports as well as conferences, concerts and exhibitions - as well
as restaurants and a 200-bedroom hotel.
It has been estimated the construction phase would create around
2000 jobs with the extension itself supporting around 3000 direct
and indirect jobs.
The plans for the development were initially lodged in January
2013 with Renfrewshire Council also wanting to upgrade Brahead's
status to a town centre through its LDP. Glasgow City Council has
opposed the designation of Braehead as a town centre amid concerns
the extension would draw further trade away from traditional high
streets.
The floor space at Braehead, which counts Primark, Apple and
Sainsbury's among its tenants, is currently 1.1 million square
feet.