A FORMER Gourock bar and restaurant will be demolished to make way for 11 luxury flats if planners give the go-ahead.

An application has been lodged with Inverclyde Council seeking permission to knock down the former Firth Hotel – most-recently known as One Ashton Road – to make way for new high-end waterfront apartments.

Impressive plans have been submitted by Gourock-based Richard Robb Architects on behalf of site owners Holt Leisure Parks, who run Kip Marina in Inverkip.

The Tele revealed in August last year how the company had snapped up the prime waterfront property – which was on the market for offers in excess of £145,000 – and that plans were in place to transform the site into a block of luxury flats.

Now the proposals have been officially lodged with the council’s planning department.

Holt Leisure want to build a mixture of two and three-bed flats, including a ‘signature’ penthouse apartment.

They would all boast views of the river and those at the front would have private balconies.

Architect Richard Robb told the Tele: “We are delighted to be involved with the project.

“The plans are for 11 high quality flats.

“They will be big, spacious, en-suite apartments with views of the river and private balconies for the front ones.

“There will also be plenty of parking with one space per flat plus six for visitors and one disabled space.”

The building has lain empty since November 2014 when it closed down suddenly after a takeover deal fell through.

It had operated as One Ashton Road for around 18 months up after many years as the Firth Hotel prior to that.