TWO Inverclyde businessmen have snapped up a £20million housing development site in Kilmacolm.

Sandy and James Easdale, owners of the McGill's bus firm, have announced they have now bought the former Balrossie Home site in the village which comes with planning permission for 64 houses.

Balrossie was originally built in 1899 by the Sailor’s Orphans Society of Scotland, covers 30.6 acres of land, but has been vacant for 20 years and the site has fallen into disrepair.

Sandy Easdale said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to take forward the Balrossie site and bring it back to life.

"Our vision is to create a high-quality residential community that respects the heritage of the site while providing much-needed housing for the area.

"This is a long-term project that will revitalise the site and create lasting value for the community.

“Kilmacolm is known for its scenic beauty and strong sense of community and by creating new housing, we aim to enhance what is already a fantastic place to live.”

Once construction is completed the development will have a value of £20 million.

It currently has consent from Inverclyde Council for 64 luxury homes and adds to the Easdale brothers' growing portfolio of residential and commercial developments.

These include the 70-acre former IBM site in Greenock, with planning consent in place for 450 homes.

Sandy Easdale continued: “We take pride in regenerating sites across Scotland and Balrossie is a perfect example of a place that can add real value to Kilmacolm with the right vision."

Balrossie has been purchased by the family for an undisclosed sum.

Alan Stewart at Breck Property Consultants acted on behalf of the purchaser, with Balrossie marketed for the vendor by Knight Frank.