A VACANT former church site is set to be transformed into a convenience store and a retail unit after the redevelopment bid received council permission. 

Plans to build a small shop with 14 car park spaces have been approved for the Greenock gap site which was once home to the Nelson Street EU Congregational Church plot. 

A takeaway had previously been proposed as part of the initial plans for the plot, but that element of the application was removed earlier this year.

Nelson Street EU Congregational Church united with George Square Congregational Church some years ago to become Greenock West United Reformed Church.

The building was put up for auction in 2017 and demolition took place in early 2021.