TRAVELLERS reportedly tried to set up an illegal camp on private land in the middle of Greenock’s west end.

Local businessman Scott Gage says he was shocked to discover that a group of travellers had parked up their vans and caravans in front of land he hopes to develop in Eldon Street, next to the Co-op shop.

Mr Gage, pictured at the site, said that the travellers spent a while ‘eyeing up’ the site – and only moved on when his colleague arrived on the scene.

He said: “I’m on the verge of submitting a planning application to Inverclyde Council to see if I can get permission to build one or two properties on the land.

“In the middle of doing that I was alerted that travellers in two vans with caravans had parked up outside the site at about 2pm last Wednesday.

“They were eyeing up the land to see how they could get set up on it.

“I sent someone to have a quick look but told him to stay back.

“When he arrived they moved on, probably due to his presence.” Now the developer says he has been forced to ramp up security around his land.

He said: “I don’t mean any disrespect to the travellers.

“It’s just that sometimes when they get on to land it can be a fight to get them off. This can be very costly.

“I have since put a fence up to seal off the area, which has cost me just short of £1,000 between materials and labour.” Scott, who owns local firm Ecosse Joinery, hopes to get permission to build a single bungalow or two semi-detached homes at the site.

He added: “I think this highlights that the site does need some sort of property on it to enhance the area and to keep people away from it.”