River Clyde Homes is shaping up to start building hundreds of new homes in 2018.

With the foundations of a new £2.6 million, 20-home investment beginning to rise from the ground in South West Greenock, work has also started to build 20 new homes in the Mallard area.

Designed by Chameleon Homes, the housing will be built by Cruden Building on the former site of five blocks of flats that were demolished in recent years. Features will include red brick construction with cladding and pitched roofs to compliment the surrounding architecture, as well as access provided by a new road.

The homes are part of River Clyde Homes' plans to build 750 new homes in Inverclyde over the next five years.

In Spring, Cruden will start building 136 new homes at the historic James Watt Dock in Greenock. Eight of the homes are being built in an innovative partnership with Blackwood Housing Association and will accommodate a range of accessible, modern, attractive and bespoke flats aimed at providing great value to people with a large range of disabilities and housing needs.


Elsewhere, a total of 96 new homes are being built in the Slaemuir area of Port Glasgow. Phase One works are underway, with 28 new homes to be ready by Autumn this year. Phase two of the Cruden built development is currently being developed and will see 68 new homes ready in 2019.

In addition, the 41 home development at Bay Street, Port Glasgow is nearing completion and homes are likely to be available to let in the spring. These homes are being developed by Cullross.

Speaking of the 20 new homes in the Mallard area, River Clyde Home's Executive Director of Property Services, Gary Wilson, said: "These are much needed modern, family homes. The area is popular with families, given its proximity to a range of community and sports facilities and good transport links."

Allan Callaghan, Managing Director of Cruden Building said: "We are delighted to continue our strong working relationship with River Clyde Homes as we begin work on this exciting new development in Greenock's Mallard area.

"These high quality, modern family houses will provide full Silver Standard energy efficiency levels which will give residents homes that are greener, warmer and cheaper to run. 

"Throughout this project we will work closely with local suppliers to directly benefit the Inverclyde economy and provide young people with valuable work placement and training opportunities."

Jillian Moffat, Vice Chair of the River Clyde Homes Board, said: "The news of these four developments, with a value of £38m in Inverclyde is just the beginning and we anticipate making further announcements of new developments later this year.

"The construction of new homes not only brings multi-million pound investment to Inverclyde, but will create much needed training and employment opportunities for the community."

Image: (L – R) Connor McGinley Chameleon Architects; Councillor John Crowther; Gary Wilson RCH; Councillor Tommy McVey; Gordon Lee, Crudens and Stephen Murray, RCH .

(LM)