Published: Saturday, 3rd October, 2009 2:00pm

Residents give thumbs down to homes plan

by Russell Steele

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RESIDENTS in Inverkip and Wemyss Bay have delivered a resounding snub to plans for a massive new housing development.

They were consulted by local MSP Stuart McMillan about a controversial proposal from Scottish Power which would see almost 800 homes built on the site of Inverkip Power Station.

A huge 93 per cent of those surveyed were adamant that the road infrastructure of the A78 was not adequate to cope with the 780 new properties.

The results also showed that an overwhelming majority of people would like to see the mothballed site returned to greenbelt if at all possible - with almost 70 per cent backing that suggestion.

Meanwhile, three quarters said if a development does get the go-ahead, then public transport facilities in the village MUST be improved first.

And 79 per cent of those who responded called for the new development to include new sport and leisure amenities accessible from both Inverkip and Wemyss Bay if it is eventually given the green light.

The SNP's Mr McMillan has used the results of the consultation exercise - which more than 700 people took part in - plus a recent visit to the site as the basis for a response to Inverclyde Council about the outline planning application.

His submission includes a call for the size of the development to be scaled back.

Mr McMillan, pictured, said: "The proposed development of the power station site has created a lot of feeling within the local communities of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.

"I felt it was important to consult both villages and gain the views of residents.

"It is quite clear from the results that residents are concerned that an additional 780 properties would exacerbate the problems on the A78 and increase road safety concerns.

"I have campaigned strongly for improved road safety on the A78 which I believe is of vital importance. Any development on the Inverkip Power Station site must take into account the increased volume of traffic this will bring to the area."

Mr McMillan has made a series of points to the council which he believes should act as pre-requisites for any eventual development at the power station.

He said: "If proposals are accepted in some form by Inverclyde Council then I believe it is important that improvements to slip roads, including introduction of street lighting and new road surfaces, are considered.

"Alongside this, I believe a reduction in the number of domestic properties - coupled with an increase in the number of industrial units - could bring much needed jobs to the area and boost the local economy.

"I hope Inverclyde Council take onboard my response and the results of the consultation."

POST Office bosses are refusing to deliver mail to a Greenock family after their dog savaged a postman.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard Royal Mail chiefs will no longer send workers to James Lynch's Banff Road home after his five-year-old mongrel, Buster, bit a postie.

The attack came 10 days after the dog broke free and bit a neighbour as she mowed her front lawn.

Lynch, 52, right, admitted two charges of failing to keep the dog under control and allowing it to bite two people in May this year when he appeared in court on Thursday.

Sheriff Rajni Swanney dismissed a bid to have the dog destroyed and ordered Lynch to ensure the dog be muzzled and never allowed off a lead while outside.

Depute fiscal Nadine Dormer said the postman had to be taken to hospital following the attack after the dog's teeth punctured his skin.

She added: "The dog came through a hedge and bit him on the back of the right leg. It sunk its teeth into him with force, shook his leg around and eventually broke the skin and causing it to bleed."

Miss Dormer said the dog had bitten Lynch's neighbour 10 days before the attack on the postie.

Defence solicitor Derek Buchanan said: "The dog was being tormented by youths, throwing stones, shouting and taunting it. It was against this background the dog reacted."

Sheriff Swanney said: "I accept the dog has been provoked and I think ordering it to be destroyed would be unduly harsh. I have taken these steps to make sure it is kept under proper control."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "Following an incident in May where a postman from Greenock was bitten by a dog, Royal Mail suspended deliveries. Royal Mail takes very seriously the safety of its employees."

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