Inverclyde Council have announced that work to restore a historic 176-year-old building within the grounds of Greenock Cemetery and crematorium are due to start next week.

The Council is pressing ahead with the preservation and redevelopment of Ivy House, which dates back to 1846.

Contractors are due to start work on Monday 7 March 2022 on the 19th Century building next to the crematorium lower car park and create new welfare facilities for staff at the rear.

The development will also include some minor demolition works and roof replacement.

The lower car park will be closed for the duration of the 26-week project to allow the work to take place and there will also be restrictions on access to Greenock Cemetery from the Bow Road entrance.

Ivy House was originally built in 1846 at Wellpark but was relocated to its current location six years later and became a lodge for the person in charge of the cemetery. It was latterly used for storage.

The regeneration project is expected to cost £500,000 and will see Ivy House refurbished and incorporate a new staff welfare facility at the rear.

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Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council's convener of environment and regeneration, said: "Ivy House has been a permanent fixture of the historic B-listed Greenock Cemetery for almost two centuries so it's important that we preserve it for future generations but also to return it to its former glory as a working site for our cemetery staff.

"As is the case with projects such as this, particularly one involving an historic monument, there will unfortunately be disruption and we would like to thank people in advance for their patience and understanding.

"Once finished, Ivy House will serve as a nod to our rich past but also provide modern facilities for our hard-working staff who look after the cemetery, which is one of the largest municipal cemeteries in Europe and the largest war graves cemetery in Scotland."

The new staff quarters will feature a dining area, office and toilets.

During the works, the lower car park will be closed and fenced off, including the road around the Ivy House building.

This will also have an effect on those who use the public entrance coming in from the South Street roundabout to Bow Road and vice versa as this will be closed to the public, although the gate will remain open.

Scaffolding will be erected around the building whilst the roof is being replaced and there will also be some minor demolition works required.

The welfare facilities for the employees will be relocated at the old greenhouses site halfway up the main drive in the meantime.

The lower car park is used as an overflow for large crematorium services and this will not be available whilst work is ongoing.

Parking will be limited and those attending services are advised that there will be alternative parking within Greenock Cemetery but that there may be a short distance to walk to the crematorium.

Council staff have informed funeral directors of the plans.

Work is also expected to start soon on cremator replacement works at the crematorium with more details to follow about this at a later date.