Opponents to a £4.7m redevelopment plan for Gourock town centre have called on Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde to review the scheme.

In a report by Urban Realm, it has been claimed that the proposals have not been subject to proper scrutiny and does not meet with current planning policy.

The plans, developed by Hirst Landscape Architects, are said to relate to 3.1 hectares of land between Gourock Station, the foreshore and Kempock Street. Replacing an earlier plan from 2011, the new vision would see a one-way system installed alongside new and enhances public spaces.

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At the time, the redevelopment was subject to a number of public consultations, but critics are now arguing that the revised plan is "entirely different in scope" from the original.

They also argue the scrapping of a new access road and various other changes mean the plans have "never been subject to any external scrutiny".

Council Leader Stephen McCabe admitted that the plans have aroused "considerable debate", but he insisted the scheme would still carry on.

He added: "This development has been a long time coming and has created considerable debate amongst local politicians and the community. However I think it is a balanced proposal and one that will improve traffic flow through Gourock, will enhance available parking for residents and visitors and will improve the overall public realm."

(JP/CD)