Plans for a new centre for adults with a learning disability are to be brought forward

Health and social care bosses are planning to develop a new hub in an existing building in Inverclyde and hope to incorporate leisure space in it so that people are not regularly travelling out of the area for recreational activities.

It follows the recent merger of Gourock's McPherson Centre - which has now closed down - with the Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock.

Families had been concerned about losing the McPherson Centre, but senior officials say the move went well.

Councillors on the health and social care committee are staying tight-lipped about potential sites for the new facility which will eventually replace the Fitzgerald building, but a full business plan is expected to be produced by May.

Speaking at a meeting of the committee, Allen Stevenson, head of service for health and community care at Inverclyde HSCP, said the recent merger of the McPherson and Fitzgerald facilities

had gone smoothly.

Mr Stevenson said: "Things went extremely well with the families, carers, staff and service users.

"It really has been quite seamless, particularly in terms of getting both sets of service users on the one site.

"That is really down to the hard work of staff and the commitment of carers and families who have been very helpful and flexible."

A shortlist of eight potential sites for the new facility is being considered.

Mr Stevenson added: "We expect to have a full business case around May.

"We will come back and share the full business case."

A further update on the progress of the new hub and the potential sites is expected at the next committee meeting on February 28.