Land developer has failed with a fresh bid to build on Kilmacolm's greenbelt

Inverclyde Planning Board met in the village for a special hearing on the application from Gladman to build in North Denniston.

Around 150 members of the public packed in to the St Columba Church hall for he meeting, with members of the community queueing up to oppose the controversial plans.

Gladman's new attempt for 88 homes on the beauty spot sparked outrage - and was rejected by the board.

The decision will now go before the full council. It follows on a from a similar application which was turned down by the council, and then the Scottish Government on appeal, last year.

John Cooper, secretary of Kilmacolm Civic Trust, today welcomed the latest refusal.

Mr Cooper said: "We were delighted to see 150 people turning up for this public hearing.

"It really is local democracy in action.

"We are pleased with outcome of the hearing.

"This is effectively the same application as before minus some land and it has been rejected again.

"We expect that if the full council agree with the decision, Gladman will again appeal to the Scottish Government reporter.

"This is a terrible waste of public money.

"It is very disappointing Gladman continue to pursue this.

"We will continue to fight it."

The civic trust was joined in its opposition by Kilmacolm Community Council and the Kilmacolm Residents' Association, who all had representatives to speak at the hearing.

They had previously held a public meeting to galvanise support and as a result there were nearly 600 letters of objection.

Officials said the application was contrary to strategic and local development plans.

Last year Gladman tried and failed to get approval for around 100 homes in North Denniston and the Knapps.

They also lost out on a bid to build in Quarrier's Village in a joint submission with the care charity Quarriers.