HOMEOWNERS in Port Glasgow have hit out about a new housing development - because they fear it may bring problems to their neighbourhood.

Some people living in the private Kingston Dock estate are worried about a proposed plan for Lower Mary Street - because it will bring in residents from Clune Park.

Leaflets have also been put through doors in Kingston Dock calling on residents to oppose plans for 84 new homes at Lower Mary Street.

But the opposition has been condemned by local councillors, who insist that there is nothing to worry about.

The new houses will be built by Link Housing Association and housebuilder Persimmon.

The opposition to the Kingston Dock plan has been raised at a meeting of Clune Park Regeneration Task Group.

Port councillor Jim MacLeod said: "The resident or residents runnning this campaign believe that some problems from Clune Park estate could possibly transfer to the new Lower Mary Street area, but there is nothing to prove this.

"The residents involved with the Clune Park Task Group and Clune Park Tenants' & Residents' Association are all good and decent people who come from all walks of life.

"Many of the people from Clune Park are homeowners on the estate, and others have been tenants there for several years.

"The residents living on Clune Park are no different from anyone else in seeking good affordable housing to live in, so I was disappointed to learn of this campaign.My hope is that most people will ignore this campaign, as there is no basis for it." The backlash was also condemned by Councillor Stephen McCabe, who chaired the Task Group meeting.

He said: "Members of the Task Group were disappointed to hear that some residents of the Kingston Dock estate are talking about objecting to the development.

"The Task Group feel that any concerns over the social problems in the Clune Park area being exported to Lower Mary Street are unwarranted.

"The residents who will be moving to Lower Mary Street will be longstanding owner-occupiers and tenants.

"The development will also be managed to a very high standard by one of Scotland's most respected housing associations."