MSP challenges Braehead move

Most of the Braehead centre is currently in Glasgow

A Labour MSP is opening up a new front in the battle for Braehead - at the Scottish Parliament.

Gordon Jackson is attempting to defeat the Scottish Executive over moves to change the boundaries at one of Scotland's largest shopping centres.

Earlier this year, ministers announced they had accepted the Boundary Commission's recommendation to transfer 230 acres of land from Glasgow City Council control to Renfrewshire Council.

Braehead is very much part of the city and should remain so

Gordon Jackson MSP

This handed Renfrewshire victory in the long-running dispute over whose boundary should include the Braehead centre.

But Govan MSP Mr Jackson said: "It makes no sense to move Braehead out of Govan and Glasgow.

"Hundreds of my constituents make the short journey every day to work and thousands shop there.

"The move is being justified on historic grounds, but much of Glasgow belonged to Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire in past centuries.

"Braehead is very much part of the city and should remain so."

Disputed area

The current boundary is drawn down the centre of the Sainsbury's store at the centre, which had to apply to both councils for a drinks licence.

The smaller council argued that the disputed area on which the centre was built had been regarded as being in Renfrewshire since the 17th century.

The decision in Renfrewshire's favour was described as "a kick in the teeth" by Glasgow City Council.

However, Renfrewshire council leader Jim Harkins said: "I believe having a better-defined boundary is a good and practical solution to a problem which was impeding development opportunities on the Braehead site.

Gordon Jackson is to challenge ministers

"We have been involved with the current developments at Braehead from the beginning and have a good working relationship with the current tenants."

This week the Scottish Executive began the parliamentary moves to transfer Braehead from Glasgow to Renfrewshire.

Now Mr Jackson has lodged a motion to annul this step.

He will seek support from his fellow Glasgow MSPs at a debate of the parliament's local government committee.

"If we win the vote in the committee, it then goes to the main chamber where only two speakers would address the plan to move Braehead - myself as Govan MSP with a government minister replying," he added.