MAJOR demolition work is being planned to clear the former IBM site at Spango Valley.

Council officials are examining proposals to ‘knock down a dozen semi-derelict buildings and supporting structures.

Offices, the call centre building, canteen, clubhouse, a chemical store and factory bays would be bulldozed.

The structures would be flattened if building control officers give the green light.

No-one has worked at the once-thriving site since last year, when IBM moved the last of its staff out, signalling the end of an area for Inverclyde and what had been one of its largest employers.

The future use of the site – and others – is going out to public consultation under the Inverclyde Local Plan.

Planning officials have said there is ‘a case’ for increasing the amount of land that can be developed for housing at Spango.

The council’s preferred option for the redevelopment of the sprawling site, which extends to 56-hectares, is to earmark half of the land for housing, around a third for business and industrial uses and the rest for recreation, leisure, tourism and neighbourhood retail.

An alternative option is for ‘residential-led’ redevelopment.

A recent council committee meeting heard worries expressed about possible safety fears if housing is built next to the busy A78.