Discussions over plan to demolish building KILMACOLM Community Council meets tomorrow to discuss a controversial planning application for the centre of the village.

Developers want to demolish the former institute building, which is no longer used.

But community council chairman, Stephen Hampson, said there is ‘anxiety’ about the proposals. The plan involves demolishing the vacant community building and a couple of shops next door.

A new building would be erected, made up of two ground floor retail units, 13 residential apartments above and 10 basement car parking spaces.

Mr Hampson said: “The design is a mixture of a sandstone tenement with a modern add-on.

“Some people think the modern section is out of place, and there are concerns about delivery lorries unloading.” Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 7.30pm in the community centre.


Texting guilt A PORT man who sent a woman photos of a sexual nature will be sentenced in court this week.

Paul Gemmell, 23, of Southfield Avenue, pleaded guilty to texting her the images on 17 February last year.


Sports award vote due VOTING for the 2013 Inverclyde Sports Personality of the Year Awards closes tomorrow.

The deadline for votes for this year’s competition is 10am.

Voting forms, printed in the Tele, must be handed into our office on Crawfurd Street. Once they are in, a shortlist of the nominees with the most votes will be drawn up and a panel of judges will then decide the category winners.

A record 68 nominations were made for this year’s awards.


Lights on in Pennyfern RESIDENTS in Pennyfern can see again after faulty street lights were finally fixed.

People in Maple Road were forced to use torches to navigate their way to and from their homes for more than three weeks due to broken lamps. ScottishPower have now confirmed that repairs are complete.


Hunt for thieves who targeted timber firm THIEVES smashed padlocks open to break into a timber firm’s premises in Kilmacolm.

They stole copper piping, cabling and a water tank from Lumberjax Environmental Ltd in Lochwinnoch Road sometime between 11pm last Sunday and Thursday morning. Anyone with information should call 101.


Sheriff is set to give evidence A GREENOCK sheriff is set to swap the bench for the witness box in his own court today — after being called to give evidence against an insurance scammer he convicted.

Lawman Derek Hamilton is among a list of people set to testify against Joseph Lyon, who is accused of launching a verbally abusive tirade after being found guilty.

Lyon, 68, is facing a contempt of court hearing over the alleged outburst last month, which is said to have been witnessed by a number of court officials and police.

The Telegraph understands that procurator fiscal depute David Glancy has also been lined up to testify before a sheriff specially drafted in from out of town.

Lyon is alleged to have lashed out after Sheriff Hamilton found him guilty of using a false document in order to secure the release of a car which had been seized by police.

The pensioner, of Kelly Street, Greenock, was fined £300 for the Road Traffic Act offence.


Kyle sells out TICKETS to see The View frontman Kyle Falconer in Gourock sold out in just 20 MINUTES.

Inverclyde music fans scrambled to secure their place for the singer’s solo gig at Cafe Continental on 20 February.

Friday’s rush came after the Tele exclusively revealed news of the gig.

Such was the demand, a second night was immediately added on Wednesday 19 February and those tickets also sold out in super quick time.

Promoter Andrew ‘McD’ McDermid, from event organisers the Beatclub, said: “This is the fastest sell-out the Cafe has ever had.

“I’m ecstatic, it’s clear Kyle has a big following down here.”
House intruder fled AN intruder fled empty-handed during an attempted break-in Kilmacolm.

The culprit smashed the front door of a property in Gryffe Road but was disturbed by the householders and ran off.

Police say the incident happened between 1 and 7am on Thursday.


Cat charity donations INVERCLYDE Feral Cats rescue group is renewing its appeal for unwanted Christmas gifts to sell.

Anyone who can help should drop off the items to Pets Paraphernalia and Abbey Vets in Greenock or Shore Vets in Gourock.