AROUND 230 new homes are planned for four former school sites across Inverclyde.

Inverclyde Council has struck deals with River Clyde Homes, Cloch Housing Association, Oak Tree Housing Association and the Link Group for land where the old St Stephen’s High was based in Port Glasgow plus the former King’s Glen, St Gabriel’s and Ravenscraig plots in Greenock.

They have been made available following the council’s schools estate programme, which has seen a number of amalgamations and new-builds completed.

River Clyde Homes — the largest housing association in the area — is set to take over the St Stephen’s site in Southfield Avenue with a view to building 120 homes there.

It is currently being used by St John’s Primary pupils who are decanted in part of the building while their Mary Street home is refurbished.

The project is not likely to get under way until 2019 when the building is vacated and the site cleared. Cloch is in the frame to acquire the old King’s Glen site in Cardross Crescent for a 60-property development, with work possibly starting in three years.

Meanwhile the former Ravenscraig Primary land in Auchmead Road is earmarked for 30 new homes by Oak Tree and the Link Group are keen to build 20 properties on the St Gabriel’s site. The plans were outlined as part of the council’s strategic housing investment plan (SHIP) for 2015 to 2020.

In a report to councillors, John Arthur, the head of safer and inclusive communities, said: “The proposed developments take account of land/sites in public ownership as identified in the approved Inverclyde Local Development Plan (August 2014) and there is an expectation that Inverclyde Council will make certain land/sites available at below market value in order to facilitate the development of affordable housing.

“The SHIP provides for affordable housing for both social rent and for sale (through shared equity schemes) and includes a mixture of house types to address the identified shortfall of affordable housing and to increase the options available to those seeking housing in Inverclyde.” Officials say all sites are being ‘banked’ by the housing associations with a view to pressing ahead with the developments at a later date.