Emergency crews race to unused Paisley university campus again after second fire

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Emergency services have been called to two fires on back-to-back nights as vandals again targeted an unused university campus.Fire crews and police were called at 8pm on Monday night to reports of a fire at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Thornly Park Campus in Caplethill Road, to the south of the town.It came after a widespread fire on Sunday evening at around 7pm when three fire crews raced to the site.

The damage has been so extensive that the buildings are expected to be demolished.Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.

Sign up to our newsletters here.A spokesman for Paisley CID said: “A group of youths were spotted on CCTV at the site.“We are continuing our enquiries into both of these incidents, which were very similar.“Both are being treated as wilful fire-raising.“Anyone with any information on either incident is urged to contact Paisley police on the non-emergency 101 number.”“You can also contact Crimestoppers to pass on information anonymously on 0800 555 111.”The site is home to a controversial planning application for housing.

UWS and Miller Homes want to develop the 28-acre unused site but local campaigners, calling themselves Save Paisley’s Green Space, have objected.The proposals include bulldozing the sports pitches, disused student accommodation and Robertson Sports Centre.These were rejected at council level last year due to them not including any plans for affordable homes.But a Scottish Government reporter has since signalled their intention to grant the application following an appeal, subject to the applicants and council shaking hands on a section 75 legal agreement.