Port Glasgow councillor reveals ambitious proposal for Woodhall

Chris Curley, who has fond memories of the area as a child, is urging River Clyde Homes (RCH) and Inverclyde Council to work together to attract developers into the area.

He has earmarked Sunnyside, Brightside and Pleasantside Avenues - areas where houses were previously demolished - as prime development land.

(Image: George Munro)

Mr Curley told the Telegraph: "I have a personal connection with the area, my mum, dad and my wife lived in Brightside.

"My gran lived in the area until 1986 - I used to visit her every Saturday and my cousins lived here too.

"This area has long been identified for redevelopment for housing but so far only a small section of the potential 16 hectares sites has been developed."

Councillor Curley says the infrastructure is already in place(Image: George Munro)

He recently attended an Inverclyde Housing Summit where a number of sites were identified as suitable for development.

Councillor Curley said: "I would say that one of the prime sites for housing development is Woodhall.

"The majority of the site is owned by River Clyde Homes but further social housing development has not been possible on the site, which I understand is primarily due to cost of construction against return for social housing alone, with the last planning application being made in 2017."

Standing in Sunnyside Avenue, the street at top of Heggies Avenue which sweeps down to the cemetery, Councillor Curley said: "On a day like this, who wouldn't want to live here? Look at the view."

He feels now thar the demolition of the three avenues which took place in phases up to 2017 went too far.

Councillor Curley said: "I feel we took away too much. We still have the infrastructure still here, the roads and the lighting.

"There is demand for housing in Inverclyde both for rent and purchase.

"I would classify Port Glasgow as an area of high demand especially for three and four-bedroom properties.

"If a developer set up a sales cabin here, I think people would be queuing up to live here.

"In a recent conversation, someone said to me they would move back to Port Glasgow if they could move their house there.

"We need to build the right houses in the right places."

Councillor Curley said the hilly terrain means the site would be more suitable for a private developer and that there was a great opportunity to build split-level properties, but also social housing, funded by the Scottish Government.

He said: "Woodhall is certainly the right place, great views, great transport links, both road and rail, easy access to Kelburn park, and Parklea on the banks of the Clyde and close to the town centre.

"I hope the recent installation of the HERAS fencing installed along Parkhill Avenue to protect the site from fly tipping can act as a catalyst for the site to be developed."

He added the area that was once full of families could again rise from the ashes and be part of Port Glasgow's regeneration.

Councillor Curley said: "Currently Woodhall is costing RCH and their tenants money but the site has significant value, if developed with a number house tenure types, social and affordable purchase, which I think Woodhall can provide.

"This could also provide funds for further social housing offsite, for example, there a 14 gap sites in Park Farm which are all on the flat and which could accommodate easily more social housing including wheelchair accessible [housing].

"My call is for both RCH and the council to continue to explore options for partnership development, with Woodhall being a great opportunity to pilot such an approach. If there are any barriers to development, let’s remove them."

A spokesperson for River Clyde Homes said: "RCH are committed to working with key stakeholders and partners in improving the housing stock within Inverclyde.

"Although there are no concrete plans for the future development of the site at Woodhall at present, we will consider the most viable options along with stakeholders within the context of the relevant planning policies of Inverclyde Council."