HOUSING chiefs have been urged not to let the site of an axed Greenock development become derelict land after it was announced the project was being scrapped amid rising costs.

Oak Tree Housing Association confirmed it will cease work and demolish existing structures on its controversial Strone Farm development site in the east end. 

It was estimated cost to complete the project increased to over £6million.

Housing chiefs have now been urged not to let the land become a derelict eyesore.

Originally designed to deliver 15 affordable homes, the project has encountered significant challenges since construction began in 2019.

READ MORE: Greenock residents call for action on housing site abandoned

These include the liquidation of the appointed contractor in 2022 and rising material and construction costs, exacerbated by the aftermath of the pandemic.

Councillor Colin Jackson, who has previously called for Oak Tree Housing to clean up the development site, has today urged housing bosses to reach out to local residents.

Councillor Colin Jackson at the development previously (Image: George Munro) The ward three councillor said: “This is extremely disappointing news.

“Inverclyde is badly in need of good family sized social housing and these would have helped fill the increasing demand.

“Going forward Oak Tree need to speak to the residents who have been living beside this site for a number of years, they need to be involved in how this land is developed.

“If it can't be used for housing then it would need to be used to provide some benefit to the community. It can't be allowed lie derelict.”

The development pictured on the day of the announcement (Image: George Munro) After conducting a comprehensive review, the Oak Tree said it had determined that the estimated cost to complete the development, including the funds already spent, would exceed £6m.

As a result, the development has been declared financially unviable to progress.

Bosses at Oak Tree Housing say the strategic decision to halt delivery has been made to safeguard the association’s long-term financial stability and ensure the responsible management of its resources.

(Image: George Munro) Sean Connor, chief executive officer at Oak Tree Housing Association, said: "This is an incredibly difficult decision, but one that we believe is necessary to protect the interests of our tenants across the Inverclyde region.

“We are proud to manage more than 1,900 properties and it’s vital that we operate a sustainable business to continue offering much-needed affordable homes.

“This is an exceptionally rare situation, and it is the first time in Oak Tree Housing Association’s 23-year history that we have stepped away from a planned development.

“I am truly disappointed that the development cannot progress as originally proposed however we are confident that our partners and the local community will agree that the increased spend associated with completing the site is not financially viable.

“Our commitment to providing affordable housing remains unwavering, and we will actively pursue suitable alternative developments.”

While the Strone Farm site will not be developed as initially planned, Oak Tree Housing Association says it is exploring alternative options for repurposing the site.

In the short term, the existing structures on the site will be demolished, and green space will be created for the benefit of the local community.

Sandra McMenamin, chair of Oak Tree Housing Association, said: "We have remained committed to doing everything we can to futureproof the Strone Farm site and the delivery of new homes.

“Unfortunately, the significant increase in costs over time has made it unfeasible to continue.

“This is the right decision to protect our existing tenants and ensure that the Housing Association’s investment achieves maximum impact.”