AN abandoned housing development could be transformed as plans have emerged to restart construction on the site after the project faltered four years ago.
The 15-home development in Strone Farm, Greenock, was left as an "eyesore" in 2022 when the contracted firm working on the site went bust, leaving the houses incomplete.
The site was abandoned entirely in 2024 when Oak Tree Housing determined the buildings would cost too much to repair and complete.
However, Edinburgh-based developer Link Group has now announced an interest in the site, with local councillors hoping a deal could mean the plot is eventually developed.
A spokesperson for the developer said the firm hopes to build new houses, with plans to demolish the existing partially-built structures.
They said: "Link Group hopes to development new homes at Strone Farm.
"This is subject to the transfer of the site from Oak Tree Housing Association to Link, following the demolition of the existing buildings by Oak Tree Housing Association, Link obtaining the necessary consents and funding for the development.
"We hope to start work on site in the next year, which will continue our commitment to delivering much needed affordable housing to the Inverclyde community."
Speaking to The Herald, local councillors Colin Jackson and Michael McCormick spoke about how the site had been left as an "eyesore" for "too long".
Councillor Jackson said that the site had been lying derelict for "too long" and that the area needed social landlords to build more homes.
He added: "This is why I welcome this development and have worked so hard with my colleague Michael McCormick to advance this, after years of delays and cancellations.
"It will see this project finally delivered. If local organisations aren’t willing, then out-of-town developers and social landlords showing any interest must be given the opportunity to do so.
"Residents of the Strone have had to live with this eyesore for too long; this is a great community, and if this helps to encourage further regeneration of this area and others, I’m all for it."
Councillor McCormick added: "This is a really positive development with regards to the site.
“We have been working so hard on a solution. It has been difficult with the existing houses having to be pulled down.
"I also hope that we can try to address some of the environmental issues that the neighbours had this time round.
"We know that there is a need for larger sized homes in Inverclyde."
Oak Tree chief executive Sean Connor said: "Strone Farm has been a challenging project following the liquidation of the original contractor during the construction phase.
"Following a detailed options appraisal, the management committee at Oak Tree Housing Association took the difficult decision not to proceed with completion of the original development as it was no longer considered financially viable.
"Since then, our focus has been on identifying the most appropriate long-term solution for the site.
"A number of technical, ecological, planning and legal processes remain ongoing and, whilst progress continues to be made, it would be premature to provide definitive timescales for demolition works or future arrangements for the site."
