IN Pictures — Final Plans Drawn Up For Oak Mall Demolition And Flats Development

THE Oak Mall, Greenock has submitted its finalised plans to knock down the eastern side of the shopping centre and build 123 flats.

It is proposing two residential blocks, either side of a wide pedestrian link between Clyde Square.

A community hub is also proposed within one of the buildings.

A new eastern entrance to the mall would be created which would be just to the west of the A78 High Street.

The section of the mall involved has a high level of vacancies and extends from beneath the A78 High Street, up to and including the existing entrance on to Clyde Square.

There would be 42 one-bedroom flats and 81 two-bedroom flats in the development.

Inverclyde Council previously refused permission for a large section of the shopping centre to be demolished because of the lack of certainty surrounding the future use of the prominent gap site that would be created.

The mall have now brought forward designs and have submitted a planning application following recent public consultation. The proposals are pending assessment by planning officials.

The project would be phased and initially the residential sites would be grassed over until the flats were built.

View looking from Wallace Place, next to Greenock Central Library