A MAJOR £10 million housing development which will extend a Greenock estate has been given the go-ahead by planning chiefs.

Officials have paved the way for housebuilder Persimmon Homes to start work on the first batch of 61 new properties at Kingston Dock.

The Tele revealed last month how the company had submitted plans to Inverclyde Council for a mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes on land off Flax Way and Crunes Way.

It is the third phase of the developer’s transformation of former shipyard land close to the new Port Glasgow retail park.

The decision will enable work to start on 12 properties just off Scott Way.

Developers say they are thrilled with the decision and hope to begin work soon.

Doug Law, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission by Inverclyde Council for 61 two, three and four bedroom homes at our Kingston Dock development.

“We anticipate the property prices to start from £125,000.

“Construction is expected to commence over the coming months.” Once completed, the 61 new homes will take the number of properties built by Persimmon at Kingston Dock to over 200.

The area has undergone a complete overhaul in recent years with the creation of brand new homes and the ongoing retail park development.

Bosses at Persimmon say phase three is their top priority at the moment but revealed that even more homes, including apartments, could be built in future.

Before the latest development was even approved, the firm’s sales director told the Tele how there was a waiting list for it.

Ingrid Gahagan said: “We have recognised the need for great value homes suitable for a range of purchasers, including first time buyers, families and downsizers, in this fantastic waterfront location.

“Interest in the next phase of homes is high. Our detached villas are especially popular and we already have a waiting list of buyers ready to move the minute we confirm our releases.”