THE Easdale brothers have gained planning approval for a new £15 million housing development on the site of the former Tate & Lyle sugar refinery in Greenock.

The decision comes almost 27 years after the sugary refinery shut down.

Greenock Telegraph:

The 5.2-acre elevated site is located on Drumfrochar Road and has been lying vacant since the refinery closed in 1997.

It is the latest investment made in the area by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale, joint owners of the Easdale Investment Group, with several planned developments in close proximity to this newly-approved site.

Greenock Telegraph:

The housing development will see 47 new homes built with a new double entry point from Lynedoch Street created at the development, which will be split across two levels and linked by a path and walkway.

It is anticipated that 40 jobs - including at least 15 apprenticeships - will be created through the construction phase, which could last up to two years.

The site has been identified as a priority as part of Inverclyde Council’s Local Development Plan.

Sandy Easdale said today: “This is excellent news and a superb opportunity to create an increased housing capacity and support the future economic prosperity of the Broomhill and Drumfrochar areas in Greenock.

“Other private housing developments close to the Drumfrochar site previously have proven to be extremely popular and this new site will provide superb family homes for locals and new long-term ownership.

“We expect this to be a highly popular development and expect there to be a high level of interest in the site.”

James Easdale added: “The ongoing development and economic improvement of this part of Greenock is something we are deeply passionate about and further supports our ongoing investment into nearby areas at Baker Street, Ingliston Street, and Orchard Street.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring this historic site back to life while also creating much-needed homes for locals and creating further repopulation opportunities.”

The proposed development further supports the ongoing wider regeneration of the Drumfrochar area, which includes the £3 million B7054 road realignment and a £1.8 million enterprise hub which were completed in recent years.

The 5.2-acre elevated site on Drumfrochar Road was sold by property agents Bowman Rebecchi in October 2021 to the Easdales after the long-term vacant site closed in 1997.

Development plans were submitted by Gourock design consultancy firm, Rebecchi Architectural on behalf of Dalglen Investments in July 2022, who jointly purchased the site as part of their £900 million countrywide property portfolio.