Works to develop more than 200 new homes across four locations in Greenock, representing an investment of £33m including £18m funding from the Scottish Government, have commenced at Auchmead Road.

The development site is located on the grounds of the former Ravenscraig Primary School where CCG will deliver 36 units for the Association, comprising 28 two, three and four bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, along with eight cottage flats.

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, joined Oak Tree Chief Executive Nick Jardine and CCG Managing Director David Wylie on a visit to the site, as part of her tour to view the new development locations in Greenock and hear more about the organisation's ambitious plans.

Nick Jardine, Chief Executive, Oak Tree Housing Association, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sally Thomas to Inverclyde as we embark on this significant new build programme at Auchmead Road, with Bow Farm, Ravenscraig and Strone Farm developments coming on stream during 2019.

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"This is all part of our drive to continue to identify key development opportunities that can help us improve the lives of our tenants and wellbeing of our communities while delivering on the strategic housing objectives for Inverclyde. It will also mean an enhanced social housing portfolio for us, bringing our total stock to nearly 2,000 properties and contributing towards the Scottish Government's current target to deliver 50,000 affordable new homes across Scotland."

Commenting on the OTHA development, Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, added: "It is fantastic to visit this site which will see 36 new affordable good quality homes built on it. Oak Tree is playing an important part in contributing to the Scottish Government's target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

"Our sector's focus has to be on delivering the government's affordable housing programme now and planning for the future, beyond 2021. We need the right homes, in the right places, in order to meet people's needs at every stage in their lives, and Oak Tree's new homes will help to fulfil this."

Bounded by Inverkip Road, Auchmead Road and Burns Road, the first new development now underway will create energy efficient homes that are close to bus, road and rail links, as well as local schools, shops and sports amenities, such as Ravenscraig Activity Centre with its fitness gym, climbing wall, soft play and café. The new build programme will create an infrastructure including a children's play area, along with the creation of landscaping and a new access road off Burns Road.

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: "CCG are delighted to have commenced works at Auchmead Road where we are providing high-quality, energy-efficient homes for the community of Greenock. As a direct result of the development, CCG will also be providing a series of community benefit initiatives including work placements for community members, as well as curriculum support for local schools."