THE remains of 17 people removed from a former Port Glasgow burial ground to make way for a controversial housing development have finally been laid to rest.

The bodies were exhumed from the former Blackstone cemetery, next to the A-listed Gourock Ropeworks building.

They have now been re-interred at Knocknairshill Cemetery.

Councillor Chris Curley, who backed the plans to build the properties, has been campaigning to make sure that the remains at the site, which dated from the 19th century, were removed sensitively and given a suitable re-burial.

Councillor Curley said: “I was a member of the planning committee that approved the plans for the new flats at the rope works.

"Although, the movement of any remaining bodies on site from the former Blackstone Graveyard was not a material planning consideration, I have always been concerned to ensure that any removal was undertaken sensitively and appropriately.

“I think this is the third time that bodies have been dis-interred from this graveyard: firstly in the 1960s, when the Gourock Ropeworks extended their works over the graveyard, and secondly when the adjacent Gourock Ropeworks building was refurbished.

“I have enquired with council officers and they have advised me that the remains of 17 individuals, in full size coffins were re-interred in Knocknairshill Cemetery.

"I am pleased that these individuals have now been given the dignity they deserve."

The plans to build a four-storey block of 24 flats on the site sparked an angry response from residents and from members of the Port Glasgow West Community Council, who raised concerns about the number of remains still within the site and the development's impact on the Ropeworks building.

Despite those worries, the planning board gave the go-ahead as long as there was an assurance that the properties would be amenity housing.

Another condition was that an archaeological watching brief be undertaken during any excavation works.

Councillor Curley said: “Previously the remains were laid to rest at the top of Port Glasgow Cemetery under a memorial cairn.

"I had hoped that any remains this time would be able to be laid at the same location, but council officers have advised that that was not possible due to space issues.

“I am glad that these individuals have been able to put at rest again in an appropriate location, rather than what had become of the former graveyard site, and I thank the council employees for their efforts in this regard.

“The outstanding issue relates to the installation of a suitable marker for the graves. I understand that this is the responsibility of the developer, and I would hope that this will be able to be achieved soon.”

Permission for the new flats was granted in October 2022.