Clearance begins for £10m Greenock learning disability hub

Planning permission has now been sealed for the long-awaited facility, which will be built for Inverclyde Council and the Health & Social Care Partnership on the former Hector McNeil Baths site at Brachelston Street in Greenock.

It's hoped that building work could begin before the year is out.

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The project has been in the pipeline for five years but has been hampered by issues with the site, the pandemic and increased costs.

Councillor Robert Moran, who is chair of the Inverclyde Integration Joint Board, which oversees care services, says he is relieved to see the development moving forward at last.

He told the Tele: “I went and met the clients and their families in my previous role as convenor of the Health and Social Care Committee when we closed the McPherson Centre in Gourock.

“We promised them this new facility and I’m glad it’s coming to fruition.

“The hold-ups were due to unforeseen problems with the topography of the ground which caused a problem but I’m really delighted at last we’re going to start moving. 

“The users have been waiting a long time for this and it’ll be fantastic for them. 

“I’m led to believe that the capital money is still there to pay for it so there should be no further hold-ups as long as the tenders come back.

“They’re hoping that’s going to be early September so when that comes back there’s nothing to stop us from getting onto the site and starting work on it."

The cost of the development has soared by almost £2 million since it was first planned, with extra money having to be found.

Cllr Moran said: “Since the initial application and funding there’s been this inflation problem which has been pretty bad with the likes of getting materials.

“I had a meeting three weeks ago with the officers concerned and I have been given reassurances that this project will happen.

“As soon as those tenders are returned we should be able to start.

“Any talk about this not taking place is rubbish, it’s going to happen.

“We promised people when we closed the McPherson Centre we would give them somewhere they can thrive in and we are going to deliver that.”

The finished facility will have space for up to 50 adults and will contain a variety of activity and therapy rooms and a dining room with servery.

Planners who approved the application said in a report: 'It is acknowledged that the appearance of the building will contrast with the nearby residential flats.

'However the proposed building has been designed as a community hub and the bespoke/distinctive design is not considered to be at such a level of variance to adversely affect the amenity of the surrounding area.

'The development of the site would also be of positive benefit to amenity generally in bringing into use an overgrown and unmaintained area.'