A plot of land that once formed part of the former Tate & Lyle sugar refinery in Greenock has been approved for a new private housing development by Inverclyde Council.

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

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

Dalglen’s property investment operations are behind several housing projects, including the Spango Valley site in Greenock, the former Tullis Russell paper factory in Glenrothes, and a waterside housing development at Dumbarton, creating over 3,000 new homes within the next decade throughout Scotland.

This latest proposed £15 million project in Greenock will comprise 47 new homes, with a new double entry point from Lynedoch Street created from 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, with the site identified as a priority place as part of Inverclyde Council’s Local Development Plan.

Inverclyde Council has approved a mixture of 3-bed detached, and semi-detached properties, with the site stretching along the east of Drumfrochar Road, adjacent to M&J Timber and Wellington Park Bowling Club.

Rectangular in shape, with short tails at the top east and west sections, the development site occupies an elevated position, with open aspects of the River Clyde and Greenock town centre.

Reflecting on the approved plans, Sandy Easdale said: “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.”

The Easdale brothers continue to invest heavily in Inverclyde, with several planned developments in close proximity to this newly approved 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.

ICC member, Bowman Rebecchi has supported both the previous and current owners of the site, with its unique model supporting the sales, acquisition, architectural, and planning processes.

Rebecchi Architectural

Bowman Rebecchi