A £15 MILLION housing development could be built on the site of a former sugar refinery in Greenock if proposals are given the green light.
Billionaire businessmen Sandy and James Easdale are looking to turn a plot of land which was once part of the former Tate & Lyle refinery into a development of 46 new homes.
The 5.2-acre plot in Drumfrochar Road was sold in October last year after the long-term vacant site closed in 1997.
It is anticipated 40 jobs - including at least 15 apprenticeships - will be created through the construction phase, which could last up to two years.
Development plans have now been submitted by Dalglen Investments which jointly bought the site as part of its £800m property portfolio.
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The new homes will be a mixture of three-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.
The site has been identified as a priority housing spot in Inverclyde Council’s Local Development Plan.
Sandy Easdale said: “We have submitted this new proposal with the intent to create increased housing capacity and to continue to support the future economic prosperity of the Broomhill and Drumfrochar area.
“Other private housing developments close to the Drumfrochar site previously have proven to be extremely popular and have provided great family homes for locals and long-term ownership.
“We see no reason why this wouldn’t be the case with our site, and we expect this to be a highly popular development.”
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.
“We believe this is a fantastic opportunity to bring this historic site back to life while also creating much-needed homes for locals while creating further repopulation opportunities.”
McGill's owners Sandy and James Easdale, 54 and 50 respectively, were new entries in this year’s Sunday Times Rich List, with their fortune estimated at £1.4billion made through transport and property.
The proposed development will now be reviewed by Inverclyde Council planning chiefs.
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