The cancellation of the £75m project must not stop the site from being used, an MSP said today.

Greenock & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil says it should be utilised to replace the local men’s jail, or for a smaller women’s prison.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson MSP pulled the plug on the jail yesterday morning, following pressure from various sources.

But £7.7m has been spent already on buying the Inverkip Road site from Inverclyde Council, clearing the land and designing the jail.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said it was too early to say when a decision would be made about future use of the site.

He said: “Work on clearing the site will be completed in March. The future use of it will then be considered as part of an overview.” Mr McNeil said the original plan for the site was to replace Gateside Prison, which is more than a hundred years old.

He said: “There are various options for the site, but it is vital that it is used in some way to improve prison facilities and preserve jobs of people working in prisons.

“This is a valuable site. A lot of public money has been spent on it, so, even if it is not used for a new men’s prison, it must be considered for a smaller women’s jail.” The Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service will now consult on investing in smaller, regional and community-based facilities for women across Scotland — in line with the recommendations of a report written by an expert group headed Dame Elish Angiolini QC.

Greenock-based West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan also called for the continued use of the former Greenock High site.

He said: “I will be meeting with the Justice Secretary this week to discuss the matter, and to also ask what can be done to ensure the site of where the prison was to be built is fully utilised.” Inverclyde Council leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, and ward councillor Ciano Rebecchi also believe the u-turn presents an opportunity to replace the men’s prison.

Councillor McCabe said: “This is a strategic site.The sooner a decision is made the better. We don’t want it lying derelict.” And Councillor Rebecchi added: “The original plan was to build a new men’s jail at Inverkip Road, so the prison service must have thought Gateside was past its sell-by date.

“This site must be considered now for a replacement for Gateside.”