AN outraged resident today called on councillors to reject a 'disgusting' proposal to build new flats on a former burial ground.

Inverclyde Council's Planning Board have delayed deciding whether to grant permission for a four-storey block of 24 flats to be developed on land next to the A-listed Gourock Ropeworks in Port Glasgow.

Councillors are set to make a site visit to the Bay Street site before they make the final decision on the plans for the property, which have been submitted on behalf of Merchant Homes.

The applicant have submitted a writ to the courts to obtain legal consent to relocate the human remains from the 19th century burial ground to a cemetery within the Inverclyde area.

Ropeworks resident Yvette Craig believes building housing near the prominent properties would amount to 'desecration' of graves on the site.

Yvette said: "It would be immoral to build on that land.

"I am really concerned about the sanctity burial grounds.

"As far as I know there could be as many as 100 bodies in there.

"There's a report that was written back in 2008 which shows that some bodies were removed.

"Those bodies were ones which might have had the top of the graves interfered with or taken away, but they left in situ coffins that hadn't been disturbed.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting to propose building something there.

"It could be turned into a memorial or a park space instead, I don't think it's right to build houses there.

"There are things that they could do with it which wouldn't be disrespectful to the people underneath.

"Let these people rest in peace.

"Going in there with diggers is desecration."

A report compiled by Inverclyde Council's interim director for environment and regeneration Stuart Jamieson confirmed that discussions had taken place between the applicant and the council about how to move the remains to a cemetery in Inverclyde.

It notes that the process of disinterment and re-internment of human remains is outwith the remit of planning procedures.

Yvette says she has spoken to other residents who are concerned about the graves, as well as the impact the new block of flats could have on the amount of light entering their properties.

She added: "A lot of residents are worried about their rooms being left in darkness.

"If I lose the light coming into my house it'll affect my mental health seriously - I can't sit in the dark all day."

But her main concern is with such a sensitive site being built upon.

She told the Tele: "This area has played a major part in all industry in this town.

"It's another historic part of the town that's getting ruined - we've already let the Comet rot and fall apart and sold off part of the land on Coronation Park.

"Money is more important than history in Port Glasgow these days.

"Building two big blocks of flats in front of this building does nothing to help preserve its historic and distinctive character.

"I would say any councillors who are involved in this decision should come up here, speak to me and understand what the impact's going to be.

"If they back this they aren't showing any consideration for residents."

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson declined to comment further, citing the ongoing discussion around the application.

They said: “The matter was examined at the planning board meeting and board members agreed to a site visit to carry out further examination of the site before making a final decision.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while the application is still under active consideration.”