Abandoned development leaves Kilmacolm residents living beside an an 'eyesore'

The site of the former Institute building in Lochwinnoch Road was part of a wider plan to create shops as well as new properties, facing onto Smithy Brae.

But contractors have not been on site for the last 12 months.

The construction project started six years ago.

Neighbours say the site is now overrun with birds and they fear it will be left that way indefinitely.

Kilmacolm woman Pat Erasmus, who lives in Roseburn Terrace, said: "It is an eyesore and an absolutely disgrace.

"Something needs to be done about it.

"Every time I pass it makes me angry.

"We have had the disruption of contractors and now a building site lying empty for years."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, added: "The contractors just packed up one day and went away, they have never been back.

"No one knows what is happening and who to talk to."

Developers Taylor Grange went on site in 2015 after they were granted planning permission for 14 flats and two shops.

Councillor David Wilson says that after a good start, things have gone awry.

He said: "The first phase was a success with the Co-op on Lochwinnoch Road a fantastic addition and hugely popular.

"But this is terrible.

"The difficulty is that there is very little the council can do it about.

"We need to get this finished, it has been causing great concern."

When the old Institute building was sold to the developers the money was ploughed back into the new Cargill Centre in the village.

There was an accident at the site of the new flats in June 2015 while the old Institute building was being taken down.

Taylor Grange, of Birmingham, were subsequently fined along with their principal contractors Allied Contracts Limited and Altan Plant Hire Limited, of Glasgow, who carried out the demolition.

The Greenock Telegraph tried to contact Taylor Grange about the current complaints over the condition of the site but they did not respond.