The application, for Planning Permission in Principle, proposes to establish the development site – to be known as Brueacre Village – giving a new lease of life to the site of the former power station, which was dismantled in 2014.

The plans for the site, which extends to more than 100 acres, were developed in consultation with local people and communities.

They include proposals for up to 650 new homes, a new village centre with retail, community facilities, and high-quality open spaces, including a public park and a network of foot and cycle paths.

To support the new development, the planned programme of works also proposes upgrading the existing road network, including a new roundabout on the A78, which will form the main access to the site, and an upgraded junction at Inverkip North/Kip Marina.

Subject to a successful determination of the application by Inverclyde Council, ScottishPower proposes to market the site for sale as a consented development opportunity.

Alan Aitkenhead, ScottishPower’s head of estates, said: “A huge amount of effort has gone into getting these plans finalised for submission to the Council and our thanks to everyone involved, including local people who took the time to let us know what they thought during our public consultation.

“This is an exciting development opportunity that will support the regeneration and transformation of an extensive unused site, while removing a former fossil fuel asset from our property portfolio. We look forward to seeing the proposals progress through the planning process and a determination being made in due course.”

Planning and development consultancy Turley Associates is providing planning, design and environmental impact services for the proposed scheme; and leading a multi-disciplinary team of external consultants

Full details of the planning application are available on Inverclyde Council’s planning portal.