The demolition of parts of the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow is set to get underway.

Contractors, acting on behalf of Inverclyde Council, have arrived on-site to prepare for the phased demolition, which will begin with the former school and church buildings in the coming weeks. This will be followed by the demolition of 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks as part of the first phase.

Clune Park consists of approximately 430 residential properties spread over 45 tenement blocks. The initial phase targets the western side of Bruce Street, a section of Robert Street, and both sides of Wallace Street — all located opposite the former church.

The works are being undertaken in the interest of public safety, after dangerous buildings notices were issued. The decision follows thorough investigations carried out by Inverclyde Council’s building standards officers in conjunction with external surveyors.

Demolition will be carried out by Greenock-based firm Caskie Limited, with work expected to begin before the end of April. All utilities have been certified as disconnected, and the site is now being cleared. The project is expected to last around six months.

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Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: "It's important to remember that the former school and church buildings and the residential properties are being demolished in the interests of safety based on professional advice following extensive investigations.

"The council has a duty to ensure public safety across Inverclyde and take action where necessary to protect the public from dangerous buildings and that’s the position we find ourselves in with Clune Park.

"With the demolition due to commence, this is an historic moment and progress towards the ultimate goal of regenerating this prominent area of Port Glasgow.

"There is still a long way to go to realise our ambition of redeveloping Clune Park, but this is a significant step in the right direction and one I'm sure the people of Port Glasgow and wider Inverclyde will welcome."

Two further tranches of dangerous buildings notices have also been issued for other parts of the estate, with additional investigations ongoing to identify other potentially unsafe structures.

Inverclyde Council has been actively acquiring properties in Clune Park over a number of years and now owns more than half of the estate.

Much of Clune Park is currently derelict, with the area's residential blocks, former school, and old church buildings having suffered extensive damage from deliberate fires and anti-social behaviour. These issues have further accelerated the decline of the estate’s condition.

Members of the public are being urged to avoid the area and adhere to safety warnings throughout the demolition process.