GREENOCK'S east end is to get a multi-million pound housing development - but it still doesn't have a shop or community centre.

A £10 million plan will complete the housing regeneration of Gibshill, ward councillor Stephen McCabe said today.

And now the target is to try to get a new Gibshill community facility including a shop. The only shop closed some time ago because the Post Office removed its services from it, and the community centre is also shut.

Now the centre and sports barn will be demolished to make way for new housing and a play area.

Planning permission is expected to be given later this year for 103 homes to be built by Persimmon Partnerships, with support from Inverclyde Council and Communities Scotland. Twenty of the homes will be owned and rented by Cloch Housing Association and the rest will be for sale.

Councillor McCabe, leader of Inverclyde's opposition Labour group and chair of the Gibshill Task Group, said: `The project will deliver more attractive, sustainable housing - helping to change the face of Gibshill forever. It marks a significant stage in the creation of the new Gibshill.

`Now it's a matter of pressing ahead with a community facility. We want to ensure Gibshill has a sustainable community - and a community centre would be a focal point.` Alan Brander, managing director of Persimmon said: `We will provide quality, affordable homes for a wide range of purchasers in a pleasant social environment that encourages neighbourhood development.` Communities Scotland had previously invested £3.3m in Gibshill and attracted a further £6.2m in private finance to the area.

A grant of £780,000 will pay for 20 homes for Cloch, the rest of the £10m coming from Persimmon.