A MOVE to pave the way for a new £100m college campus on Greenock's waterfront has been backed by local SNP councillors.

Elizabeth Robertson, their group leader, has welcomed a proposal to change the local development plan to help accommodate a new home for West College Scotland at East India and Victoria Harbours.

The land had previously been zoned for housing development, but now education is set to be added to the list.

Cllr Robertson believes that replacing the ageing Finnart Street campus, which needs major repairs, with a new building at the harbour will help secure the future of the further education institution.

She said: "I want the college to succeed in making this change.

"It will provide a new centre for excellence in further and higher education here in Inverclyde."

Mrs Robertson believes that a new campus on the waterfront could also have important wider spin-off benefits.

She said: "I think it will be another important step in our regeneration.

"It will show a commitment to lifelong learning for our population and will be a further visible indication that Inverclyde is open for business, is thriving and ready to unleash its potential on the world.”

The SNP group say a new college at the harbourside has the potential to establish a new cultural hub with the Waterfront leisure Centre and the Beacon Arts Centre.

Their environment spokesman Cllr Chris Curley added: "We have been firmly behind the college moving from their existing site to a new site at the Harbours.

"This site provides greater transport links than the existing one, will aid the regeneration of Greenock town centre and has the potential to provide a gateway building to the town.

"I would hope it will also serve to provide focus on the college to provide courses locally to meet our aspirations to support and grow our marine economy.

“A campus at this site will enable great opportunities to develop partnership links with the adjacent Waterfront Leisure Complex and Beacon Arts Centre.

"It will enable these facilities to be greater than the sum of their parts.

"There is also a great opportunity to expand the cultural and leisure activities in this area, with the adjacent new Ocean Terminal building, museum and restaurant.”

Although the SNP group are firmly in favour of the plan, there are a number of critics - including the group of independent councillors.

They have repeatedly raised concerns that it would in effect be a downsizing of the town college.

Under the terms of the proposed change the existing two campuses in the town would have to be given over for housing.

Officials estimate that the Finnart Street site could be flattened to make way for 140 homes and the Waterfront building cleared for 65.