CALLS have been made for a pioneering self-build scheme in Inverclyde to be extended.

Plots in Kilmacolm’s Leperstone Avenue will be put out on the market soon after council bosses were encouraged by the interest in the initiative, which is one of the strategies being pursued to combat population decline in the area.

The idea was part of a wider programme of promoting Inverclyde as a place to live across Scotland under the Inverclyde Living Campaign.

A council spokesman said: “The plots will be put out to the open marketplace soon.

“The principle of self-build plots was tested with early ‘expressions of interest’ being sought.

“These were launched at the Ideal Home Show and the Scottish Homebuilding and Renovating show in the SECC in Glasgow.

“The expressions of interest topped over 100 in just the first two weeks which was part of the impetus to move forward with the project given the high levels of demand being expressed.”

Now village councillor and Depute Provost David Wilson believes that the initiative should be open to people already living in Inverclyde, not only those outside.

Cllr Wilson told the Telegraph: “It should be available to residents within Inverclyde.

“It’s aimed at encouraging people to move here and first and foremost we got to stop people leaving.

“One way to keep them and to stop Inverclyde’s depopulation is to let people build their own homes.

“Half should be allocated to people outwith Inverclyde and half living within it.”