Housing plan for IBM site
A £100 million plan for 450 homes on the site of the former IBM plant at Greenock is being submitted to Inverclyde Council.
Local businessmen Sandy and James Easdale, who own the site in the Spango Valley, along with Advance Construction, say it would include shops and community facilites as well as reopening the railway station on the line to Wemyss Bay.
The application seeks Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) for a mixed-use masterplan which would include up to 450 new homes, alongside areas of new employment, leisure, community and retail use. The proposals also include a new ‘Park and Ride’ facility adjacent to IBM Rail Halt, which would see the station re-opened to the public, alongside areas of extensive greenspace, parkland and a network of new paths across the site.
They say it will create approximately 130 jobs created through the construction phase and a further 300 jobs upon completion.
Sandy Easdale said: “We are delighted that the planning application has been submitted as we look to deliver this massive opportunity for the local area.
"We believe that these proposals will have a significant positive economic impact across Inverclyde, providing a large mix and number of quality new homes, as well as modern employment, commercial and retail space.
"Not only will the development attract new people to the area, but it will be desirable to those already living here.”
Seamus Shields, Managing Director of Advance Construction commented: “We are pleased to have reached this key milestone on what is such an important project locally.
"Delivery of the project we will provide a lasting legacy and crucially, provide a significant social and economic boost to the local area."