COUNCIL chiefs are pushing ahead with plans to seize control of a dilapidated former nightclub in Greenock town centre following a stand-off with its owners.

Local authority officials are preparing to serve a compulsory purchase order (CPO) on the rundown Babylon building on West Stewart Street with a view to demolishing the 'eyesore' property and redeveloping the area.

The former nightclub belongs to Greenock-based WBI Group, which also owns local venues Word Up, McGeochs and Fenwick 47.

Gerry Malone, the head of legal and property services, said: "Following upon contact and discussions with the owners, it is clear that voluntary negotiations are unlikely to be agreed at this time and, so, for purposes of implementing the council's strategy in the area, the seeking of compulsory purchase powers will be necessary." The site, once cleared, has been identified for housing - specifically 24 social flats with parking to the rear - but that plan has so far failed to materialise.

The council had previously offered the owners a grant of £30,000 towards demolition costs to aid the redevelopment of the site but that also fell by the wayside.

Mr Malone said: "The building and site are in a dilapidated condition within Greenock town centre and all attempts thus far to develop the site for affordable housing or for it to be acquired voluntarily by the council have failed. "The site is in the current strategic housing investment plan and it is in the public interest for it be acquired and remediated."

The cost of buying the property would be met from town centre regeneration cash.

The council has also been awarded over £600,000 from the Scottish Government to assist with the redevelopment of the area and officials say that money can be used for the Babylon project.

Cost remains the main sticking point in the negotiations between the local authority and WBI Group.

The Tele first revealed a CPO was on the horizon last year.

Depute council leader, Jim Clocherty, said he 'felt sorry' for the owners because the property is 'not worth what it was' when they bought it more than a decade ago and they are not willing to sell 'at the value of what the property is worth'.

Council officials say they 'remain to be convinced' that a joint venture to develop the site for housing is achievable 'based on the land value expectations of the owners'.

Mr Malone said: "The owners will continue to be given the opportunity to sell their property on a voluntarily basis throughout the duration of the compulsory purchase order process."

Councillors will be asked to rubber-stamp the CPO request at a public meeting in the Municipal Buildings on Thursday December 5 at 4pm.

Scottish ministers would then need to agree to the order and a district valuer would set the price.