RESIDENTS are set to have their say on major development plans for the former Inverkip Power Station site.

Two drop-in consultation events are being held by land owners Scottish Power as a public consultation is launched about the future of the sprawling site.

The first session is on Monday January 21 at Wemyss Bay Community Centre, from noon to 6pm, while another will take place on Wednesday January 23 at Inverkip Community Hub from 2pm to 8pm.

Site owners Scottish Power have made an initial approach to Inverclyde Council for permission to build a mixed-use ‘urban village’ featuring housing, business and ‘small-scale’ retail units and community space.

But before formally submitting detailed plans for the site, the developers are required by law to consult with the local community.

This consultation comes five years after the power station was dismantled, culminating in the spectacular controlled-explosion to bring down the iconic 778-ft chimney stack.

Construction of the oil-fired energy hub began in 1970 for the then-South of Scotland Electricity Board (SSEB) but the site was never fully operational after the price of crude rocketed during that decade.

The facility eventually shut down in 1988.

Following the privatisation of SSEB, Scottish Power inherited the station and it was fully decommissioned in 2006.

Four years later, company officials decided to clear the site.

Scottish Power had previously applied for planning permission to build 780 houses on the site.

Under the Glasgow Region City Deal, the area is also earmarked for £3.8 million of funding for major road improvements, which would pave the way for future development.