A FORMER nightclub building which has been deemed 'too dangerous to enter' for more than a decade is finally set to be bulldozed.

The council has lodged a prior notification of demolition for the old Babylon nightclub in Greenock town centre, which it bought earlier this year so it could be razed to the ground to make way for new flats.

The eyesore - which sits on the corner of West Stewart Street and Argyle Street - has lain empty for around 15 years.

Council bosses said back in 2019 the site had been identified as suitable for 24 social housing flats.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, who represents the area, says he will be relieved to see the building pulled down at last as it should give the site a brighter future.

Mr Clocherty said: "I'm very pleased it's finally being pulled down.

"It's a terrible looking building in the centre of Greenock and at this time of year it often gets the tagline 'the hanging gardens of Babylon' [due to overgrow vegetation]."

Mr Clocherty has defended the use of public money to purchase the site.

He said: "We mustn't forget this is a result of private sector failure.

"It's been sitting there for more than 10 years in a derelict state.

"I realise it's public money that we're spending on this but I don't think we really had a choice.

"Thankfully the council has decided to make funds available to pull it down.

"It's in our local housing plan but I think the most important thing at this stage is it's knocked down and landscaped and then it's ready for whatever happens in the future.

"I would like to see it get used for social housing ideally."

The demolition of the building is expected to cost £400,000 - and planning documents suggest the work could cause considerable disruption.

Officials say the whole of Argyle Street will need to be closed when a 12-metre high section of wall is knocked down, while one lane is expected to remain shut for the duration of the job.

The nightclub formally belonged to Greenock-based WBI Group, which also owns Word Up in Dalrymple Street.

Greenock Conservative councillor Graeme Brooks said: "It is good news that at long last we are going to see this building pulled down.

"What I hope is that the site is secured after it is knocked down as I do not want to see it become a den for people to have alcohol or drugs in.

"I would like to compliment Jim Clocherty on all the work he's done to make this happen."

Elizabeth Robertson, SNP representative for the area, added: "There are some buildings and spaces that don’t show Inverclyde at its best.

"Where this is the case, if we can do something to change that, then we should.

"In the case of Babylon, the opportunity to do something different with a site that’s not been working for the town is a real positive."

The contractors who will bring the building down will have to wear personal protective equipment and have a fully qualified asbestos surveyor on site.

Their working hours will be Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm and all debris will be taken to landfill.

Contractors will be asked to provide a detailed plan for protecting neighbouring properties during the works and make sure any damage to surrounding roads or footpaths is dealt with.