A COUNCILLOR is concerned about mistakes made by Municipal Buildings bosses in important documents about the future of the area.

Jim McEleny says several constituents contacted him after it was revealed that local authority chiefs had made errors over sites for housing in the proposed new local development plan, which then went out to public consultation.

The original blueprint suggested homes could be built on pitches and a play area in Papermill Road and would also have allowed for construction on an existing housing scheme, as opposed to a cleared site in the Upper Bow farm part of Greenock.

Officials have now clarified and corrected the errors and Mr McEleny is encouraging people to have their say on the overall proposals during the consultation period, which ends on June 29.

The Greenock councillor said: "Many residents raised concerns with me about the plans which could've had housing built on a play area that benefits many families that live in the Overton area.

"I am pleased that this proposal has now been removed from the plan and I would like to thank the many members of the community who raised concerns on the issue.

"I would encourage people across Inverclyde to take part in the local development plan consultation if they have any concerns about other parts of the local development plan."

The council blamed the mistakes on 'mapping areas' and say the issues have now been rectified.

Councillor Michael McCormick, convener of environment and regeneration, said: "The proposed plan is large and complex, as it should be since it sets out land use across the whole of Inverclyde.

"While it is unfortunate that these errors were in the proposed plan that went out to public consultation, officers have acted swiftly and taken the right course of action to clarify the council's intentions.

"The statement provides clarity on two locations, set out as Papermill Road and Upper Bow in the proposed local development plan.

"The proposed plan didn’t take into account the play and kick-about area at Papermill Road.

"A mapping error at Upper Bow, which was transferred over from a previous housing investment plan, has also been identified.

"I hope residents and other interested parties are reassured by this clarification and by the transparency of the council highlighting it in this way.

"It is important that anyone taking part in the consultation is fully informed and still able to have their say in the full knowledge of this clarification."

To view the new local development plan and to comment on the proposals visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay