The £17.5 million, 137-home development is beginning to take shape with all the structures now in place. The project has received financial support from the Scottish Government.

The spacious site, overlooking the iconic Sugar Sheds, will provide much needed modern, energy-efficient homes, eight of which are designed for customers with additional housing needs. It comprises 67 one-bedroom and 70 two-bedroom flats.

Marilyn Beveridge, vice-chair of the River Clyde Homes board, said: “We are committed to building much needed new homes in Inverclyde that meet the needs of our residents. We also hope that we can contribute to the plans to grow the population of the area. It’s great to return here after only four months and to see the significant progress made by Cruden Building. This is going to be one of the finest waterfront locations in Scotland when completed.”

Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building, added: “We are delighted to breathe new life into a previously unused site and deliver exemplar, affordable homes on a stunning riverfront setting. Importantly, the flats have been carefully designed with a number of features, including lifts, to ensure they are fully accessible, ‘lifetime homes’.”

The first homes are scheduled for release in spring 2021 with the entire development due later that year.

James Watt Dock is the first of two major developments River Clyde Home is undertaking. Site works at the former St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow have begun to prepare the land for construction.