HOUSING body Sanctuary Scotland are preparing proposals for a 'sizeable' development of affordable homes at the former Greenock Health Centre, the Tele can reveal.

The housing provider has confirmed that it acquired the Duncan Street site in June of this year.

It is now drawing up plans for new houses to be built there.

The old health centre was opened in 1978 and it closed in June 2021 following the opening of a new £20m centre on Wellington Street.

The replacement centre, which was built on the site of the former Inverclyde Academy, opened in May of last year.

Demolition works at the old facility began late last year, with the site now completely levelled and ready for redevelopment.

The NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board put the area of land up for sale prior to demolition works commencing, with property specialists Montagu Evans marketing the building.

The London-based firm stated that the Inverclyde Local Development Plan's designation for the site indicated a capacity of 35 units, but suggested this number could be increased.

Office spaces and community/third sector uses were some of the suggestions made about how the site could be utilised.

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Scotland said: “We acquired this site in June 2022 and are now drawing up detailed proposals for a sizeable development of affordable housing properties, which are much-needed in Greenock and the surrounding area.”

The social housing provider previously delivered almost 100 social houses across four sites in Greenock and Port Glasgow as part of a £14m investment programme.