AN ambitious £33million programme to build 200 new homes across Inverclyde has been announced.

Oak Tree Housing Association plans to start work on the houses, all for social rent, this year.

The four separate developments will include a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, as well as cottage flats.

There will also be provision of a number of homes adapted for people with additional needs.

Contractors CCG Scotland LTD has already started on Auchmead Road on the former site of Ravenscraig Primary where there will be 36 properties, from two-to-four-bedroom, including eight cottage flats.

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, joined Oak Tree Chief Executive Nick Jardine and CCG Managing Director David Wylie on a visit to the site.

Mr Jardine said: "We are delighted to welcome Sally Thomas to Inverclyde as we embark on this significant new build programme at Auchmead Road, with Bow Farm, Ravenscraig and Strone Farm developments coming on stream during 2019.

“This is all part of our drive to continue to identify key development opportunities that can help us improve the lives of our tenants and wellbeing of our communities, while delivering on the strategic housing objectives for Inverclyde. It will also mean an enhanced social housing portfolio for us, bringing our total stock to nearly 2,000 properties and contributing towards the Scottish Government’s current target to deliver 50,000 affordable new homes across Scotland.”

Ms Thomas said: “It is fantastic to visit this site which will see 36 new affordable good quality homes built on it. Oak Tree is playing an important part in contributing to the Scottish Government’s target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021."

The other developments include a controversial plan to build 71 homes on the former site of Ravenscraig Hospital which was met with opposition over claims of contaminated land.

It is part of a turnkey project with the Link Group this and a smaller estate in the Strone of 16 properties will start in the summer.

While the largest development in Bow Farm of 77 houses in Tweed and Tay Street will begin later in the year.

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “CCG are delighted to have commenced works at Auchmead Road where we are providing high-quality, energy-efficient homes for the community of Greenock. As a direct result of the development, CCG will also be providing a series of community benefit initiatives including work placements for community members, as well as curriculum support for local schools.”

Pictured, from left, are David Wylie, managing director of CCG Scotland, Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Oak Tree chief executive Nick Jardine. Photo: Peter Devlin.