HIGH level talks are set to take place with billionaire businessman Jim McColl to try and help thrash out a deal to create a shipyard at Inchgreen Drydock.

The tycoon revealed two months ago how he is keen to snap up the site and create a second, larger facility to complement his Ferguson’s yard just along the road in Port Glasgow.

A meeting is now set to take place on Monday between the Clyde Blowers boss and a number of key players, including Greenock & Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, who has arranged the talks.

Ronnie Cowan MP, Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe, local authority regeneration director and Riverside Inverclyde chief executive Aubrey Fawcett and Allan McQuade, who is the director of business infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, will also be in attendance.

Mr McNeil, who will chair the meeting, wants to find out more about Mr McColl’s plans and offer assistance to help strike a deal.

He said: “The local community has argued for some time now that Inchgreen Drydock is a national asset and it was heartening to hear that Jim McColl supports this view.

“I hope that as a result of Monday’s discussions with the area’s political and business leaders we can begin to turn this significant opportunity into a reality.” Ferguson Marine owner Mr McColl is already investing around £8 million in transforming the Newark yard — which was recently named preferred bidder for a £97m CalMac ferry contract — and has also expressed an interest in buying Inchgreen and using it to build larger ocean-going ships.

His investment in Inverclyde and enthusiasm for rejuvenating shipbuilding on the Clyde has caused great excitement locally and nationally.

Councillor McCabe said: “The purpose of the meeting is to get an update from Mr McColl on Ferguson’s future plans and how these might involve Inchgreen or other locations in Inverclyde.

“I hope to be better informed following the meeting as to how the council and our partners in Riverside Inverclyde and Scottish Enterprise might assist the company in taking these plans forward for the benefit of Inverclyde.”