PLANS for a new wine bar, a bid to add CCTV cameras at a B-listed local landmark and approval for a major battery energy storage system all feature in this month’s planning round-up.

Here are seven of the biggest planning issues which made headlines in Inverclyde this month. 


New wine bar in Kilmacolm

A new wine bar is set to open in Kilmacolm after councillors gave plans the green light.

Proposals to create a new bar in a former retail unit was passed unanimously at a meeting of the planning board.

The new business will be located in Octavia Buildings in Bridge of Weir Road and attracted overwhelming support from the community.

Read the full story here.

(Image: Inverclyde Council)

Approval for major battery energy storage system in Port Glasgow

Permission has been granted for a major 700-megawatt battery energy storage system in Port Glasgow.

Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured approval for the new development at Auchentiber.

The company says it is the largest planning consent for a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) in Scotland to date, and the biggest ever secured by the firm.

Bosses from the company say the development will create new job opportunities for the area.

Read the full story here.

(Image: Apatura)

Celtic Supporters Club in Greenock given go-ahead to display adverts

A bid to display adverts on the side of Greenock's Celtic Supporters Club has been approved by Inverclyde Council planners. 

The Laird Street club had put forward an application to install an LED advertising panel on the rear of their premises, facing on to Dalrymple Street. 

Read the full story here.

Council leader calls for 'plan B' for empty Kilmacolm self-build plots

Inverclyde Council’s leader has said the local authority needs to develop a ‘plan B’ for self-build housing plots in Kilmacolm which have lain empty for more than a decade.

Councillor Stephen McCabe says alternative uses for the site at Leperstone Avenue may have to be considered and suggested that specialist housing for people with additional support needs could be an option in the future.

Members of the council’s environmental and regeneration committee agreed to reduce the asking prices for the five remaining sites at the seven-plot self-build development scheme.

Read more here.

(Image: Google Maps/Rebecchi Architectural)

EV Network reveals Greenock ultra rapid charging points plan

Plans have been lodged to install new charging points for electric vehicles at a Greenock shopping park.

The EV Network has applied to Inverclyde Council for permission to install five ‘ultra rapid’ charging stations, serving 10 parking spaces, at the Waterfront Retail Park.

The facilities are planned for the western end of the retail park, to the side of the existing Halfords store, next to Container Way.

Read the full story here.

(Image: Newsquest)

Solar panels and CCTV cameras planned for former church

Plans to install solar panels and CCTV cameras at a former church described as “an important piece of Gourock’s heritage” have been revealed.

Inverclyde Council has been asked to give the green light to the proposals for the former St Bartholomew’s Church building on Barrhill Road.

The B-listed building, a much-loved local landmark, was put up for sale in December 2022, five months after hosting its last church service, with dwindling numbers of members and a lack of funds blamed for the decision to close it down after 160 years.

Read more here.

(Image: Google Street View)

Inverclyde Council approves Greenock industrial unit plans

Twenty-seven workshop and storage units are set to be built at an industrial site in Greenock after council officials approved the plans.

The units, at a business space on Dellingburn Street, across from the BP filling station, will be laid out in four terrace blocks and an existing vehicle garage and office building will remain.

(Image: Street View)

Seventeen of the units will have a footprint of 15 square metres and the remaining 10 units will be 58 square metres.