WORK has started on a new £5m affordable housing development in Port Glasgow.

The 41-property project at Bay Street, pictured, in the town centre is due for completion next summer.

It is a joint venture between River Clyde Homes (RCH) and Dundee-based developers Cullross.

The development is being part-funded by the Inverclyde housing association and the Scottish Government.

Contractors have began preparatory work ahead of the start of construction next month.

It will be RCH’s first town centre new-build project and will see 13 houses and 28 flats built on the vacant site next to the listed Gourock Ropeworks luxury apartment block.

Steven Garry, a director of developers Cullross, said: “We are thrilled to be working with River Clyde Homes to bring this project to fruition.

“It will be brilliant to see these homes finally come out the ground and help meet the need for affordable homes in Inverclyde.”

Inverclyde Council granted planning approval for the development in February and now it is full steam ahead.

The development will breathe life into a derelict site and deliver much-needed new homes for the Port while the properties will also be more environmentally-friendly and meet the Scottish Government’s ‘greener standard’.

Jillian Moffat, vice-chair of the RCH board, said: “This gateway development of 41 homes in Port Glasgow is significant for us as it’s River Clyde Homes’ first town centre new build project.

“The homes are built to the silver level of building regulations in respect of both carbon dioxide emissions and energy for space heating.

“We are happy to be once again working in partnership with the Scottish Government, Inverclyde Council, our architects and builders.”

Developers say their designers, JM Architects, have spent a lot of time and effort on the look of the new homes to ensure they complement the ‘architecturally significant’ grade A-listed Ropeworks building and surrounding environment.