NEW life is set to be breathed back into an old boat yard as councillors get set to to decide which of three community projects should go ahead at the site.

Last year the council asked people to put forward their ideas on how the vacant McLean's Yard at Cove Road should be used, after deciding not to sell the land off.

Councillors on the environment and regeneration committee will now meet on Thursday to choose between three proposals which have been submitted.

The first proposal from Gourock Schools And Churches Together (GSCT), is to turn the land into a community garden that would also have a spiritual area for reflection and capacity for small-scale music performances.

Meanwhile, members of the Cardwell Bay Association of Small Boat Owners propose to use the site as a storage area for motor cruisers.

The group say this would mean boats would not be parked on roadways or outside houses.

The final suggestion is from an unnamed group who believe the site could be used for a maritime education centre teaching traditional boat-building skills in partnership with schools, colleges/training providers and employers.

Council officers believe the community garden option would be the best option and have suggest that further negotiations take place with Gourock Schools And Churches Together to develop this particular proposals.

A report to councillors states: "It is noted that each of the proposals has individual merit and all seek to bring this site back into community use for the benefit of local residents and Inverclyde.

"The nature of the [officers'] assessment indicates that the proposal from the GSCT group could be taken forward subject to further detailed liaison on implementation of its proposed use."

A separate planning application will be required once the preferred option is selected by elected members this week.