The proposal was originally refused by planners earlier this year due to uncertainty surrounding the use of the prominent gap site which would be created.

Now bosses of the shopping centre have formally submitted a new application to Inverclyde Council for the new apartments and a community facility.

A design statement which is part of the application said: “It is recognised by both the shopping centre owners and local authority that it is vitally important that these demolition works do not leave a blighted town centre to the east of the road bridge adjacent to Clyde Square.

“This application therefore brings forward mixed-use proposals for new residential accommodation on this site providing a total of 123, one and two-bedroom apartments and new community hub.

“The residential offer is proposed in two blocks separated by an attractive landscaped park that connects the new Oak Mall entrance and Clyde Square.”

The owners of the shopping centre wish to demolish the part of the centre that stands beneath the A78 main road, along to the existing entrance at Clyde Square, with the existing tenants being offered space within the scaled down centre, the Greenock Telegraph reports.

The design statement further states: “Several units are unfit for occupation because the fabric of the building is suffering badly from water ingress below the trunk road that spans in a bridge structure above the shopping centre.

“During and following periods of rain, water floods into units from defective joints in the road bridge. A large section of the mall below the road is also badly affected by this.”

Planners have also highlighted that the demolition would allow Transport Scotland to carry out crucial repairs to the bridge.

A decision on the proposal is not to be made until next year.