Current major developments
Birkmyre Park
The work to build the new gym and renovate the pavilion at Birkmyre Park is now underway. This controversial scheme has now reached the stage of having the roof and side walls in the final stages of work.
Later on Duchal Nursery are to build their own premises adjacent to the pavilion on land currently occupied by store huts and the like.
Balrossie
The former Sailors’ Orphans Home and List D school has been lying unused for some years. There is now permission granted by Inverclyde council for its conversion into flats, with a further 25 units to be built in the grounds. The Council is at the stage of submitting its approval to the Scottish Executive for its acceptance, as the Council has a financial stake in the sale of the property. Further details were being sought by the Executive as part of their review.
St Columba’s School
The School is seeking to upgrade the Senior School by building, firstly, a new teaching block to replace the current Science block and the two houses to the west along Gryffe Road. Later the school intends to replace the Music Block with a new Assembly Hall. The council have rejected this scheme and word on an appeal is expected.
Kilmacolm New Community Centre
This has been approved by the council. KNCC are now actively trying to assemble the full package of money required to start the new buildings and convert the old Primary School. At the same time they are seeking to finalise some of the detailing of the design
Traffic
All of the 4 major developments will have some impact on traffic management in the village. The Trust is hoping that Inverclyde Council will undertake a study if this situation, especially given the pressures from the Cross to Knockbuckle Road with the three schools lying close to this route and the restrictions of the Cross and the railway bridge at the end of Gryffe Road.
Planning
2007 planning applications for Inverclyde and any decision reached on them can be viewed as a pdf document on the Inverclyde Council website at: www.inverclyde.gov.uk/GeneralR.aspx?id=767&catid=1189
Building Control applications and decisions from May 2005 can be found by visiting the Council website at:
http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/GeneralLnc.aspx?id=380&catid=1114
and clicking on the building Standards Register image. Note that this is a very large file due to having over two years of applications recorded.
Both files can be searched for Kilmacolm or Quarriers.