Plans to transform an old school site in Gourock into an outdoor play and recreation space have been given a major boost after council officials gave the green light to the idea.

A planning application was lodged with Inverclyde Council in September to transform the site of the former St Ninian's Primary, on the corner of Staffa Street and Kirn Drive, into a multi-functional community greenspace.

The Green Action Trust is working alongside the council to create an informal play area on the ground.

The aim is to make a space that everyone in the community can enjoy.

The proposal includes site clearance, a new path network, informal outdoor play, and hard and soft landscaping as well as a 'sustainable urban drainage system'.

The facility is set to be built on the former St Ninian's Primary School site.The facility is set to be built on the former St Ninian's Primary School site. (Image: Green Action Trust/Inverclyde Council) Features planned for the site include a timber trail with sleeper steps, an outdoor classroom amphitheatre, a wetland area, and a reading circle.

The proposals for the site also include an experimental wildflower meadow, amenity lawn and south-facing seating wall, as well as a new path network and bike storage.

An online survey was held earlier this year to find out what the public thought of the initial proposals, which were also put on show at a drop-in session at the Coppermine Community Centre.

The old St Ninian's building was demolished shortly after pupils and staff moved into their £9.2 million premises next door in 2018.

According to Inverclyde Council's planning website, no public comments were made for or against the application.

Officers from the local authority's planning department gave their official approval to the application on Tuesday.

To view the application and the background papers, go to planning.inverclyde.gov.uk and search for the planning reference code 24/0199/IC.