River Clyde Homes has revealed plans to invest £17 million towards upgrading homes in Inverclyde.

Over the coming year, millions of pounds will be allocated for improving housing and making them more energy efficient.

Features include;

• £10.6m to be spent on major works to improve the housing stock. Solar panels will be installed in 150 existing properties as part of a £3m drive to improve energy efficiency for customers.

• A total of 310 additional homes will be converted from electric storage heating to gas central heating,

• £400,000 programme to improve insulation of lofts and wall cavities,

• Major works are scheduled to begin soon to replace an ageing heating system at the apartments in Kilblain Court, Greenock,

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• Over £1m will be spent on planned maintenance works as a new roof replacement programme begins, 45 properties will receive new kitchens, bathrooms and electrics, and £250,000 will be spent on replacing windows and doors.

• £3.2m will be invested in improving the built environment in neighbourhoods and £450,000 to improve and paint communal areas in flatted accommodation.

• A budget of £300,000 has been set aside for aids and adaptations to properties.

Albert Henderson, Chair of the River Clyde Homes Board, said: "Our fundamental aim is to help improve lives and places and these plans go some way to doing that, particularly in the area of energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty. Throughout last year we consulted with customers over what mattered to them and I’m pleased to see additional investment in neighbourhood environments and communal areas within blocks.

"This £17m investment in existing properties, coupled with 89 new build coming on to the market and the demolition of unpopular properties in Banff Road, Cumberland Road and Slaemuir shows that River Clyde Homes is committed to the continued regeneration of Inverclyde."

(LM/MH)