The developments represent an investment of £33 million, including £18m funding from the Scottish Government.

Work on each site is anticipated to start this year, with completion of the full programme by 2021. The homes, all for social rent, will include a mix of back and front door detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, as well as cottage flats. With some developments still in the early stages of design, plans are also to include provision for a number of homes adapted for special needs.

Oak Tree has already commenced works at Auchmead Road on the former site of Ravenscraig Primary School. Contractors CCG Scotland Ltd will be building 36 units for the Association, comprising 28 two, three and four bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, along with eight cottage flats.

Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), joined Oak Tree chief executive Nick Jardine and CCG managing director David Wylie on a visit to the site, as part of her tour to view the new development locations in Greenock and hear more about the organisation’s ambitious plans.

Nick Jardine said: “We are delighted to welcome Sally Thomas to Inverclyde as we embark on this significant new build programme at Auchmead Road, with Bow Farm, Ravenscraig and Strone Farm developments coming on stream during 2019.

“This is all part of our drive to continue to identify key development opportunities that can help us improve the lives of our tenants and wellbeing of our communities, while delivering on the strategic housing objectives for Inverclyde. It will also mean an enhanced social housing portfolio for us, bringing our total stock to nearly 2,000 properties and contributing towards the Scottish Government’s current target to deliver 50,000 affordable new homes across Scotland.”

Sally Thomas added: “It is fantastic to visit this site which will see 36 new affordable good quality homes built on it. Oak Tree is playing an important part in contributing to the Scottish Government’s target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

“Our sector’s focus has to be on delivering the government’s affordable housing programme now and planning for the future, beyond 2021. We need the right homes, in the right places, in order to meet people’s needs at every stage in their lives, and Oak Tree’s new homes will help to fulfil this.”

Bounded by Inverkip Road, Auchmead Road and Burns Road, the first new development now underway will create energy efficient homes that are close to bus, road and rail links, as well as local schools, shops and sports amenities, such as Ravenscraig Activity Centre with its fitness gym, climbing wall, softplay and café.

The new build programme will create an infrastructure including a children’s play area, along with the creation of landscaping and a new access road off Burns Road.

CCG managing director, David Wylie, said: “CCG are delighted to have commenced works at Auchmead Road where we are providing high-quality, energy-efficient homes for the community of Greenock. As a direct result of the development, CCG will also be providing a series of community benefit initiatives including work placements for community members, as well as curriculum support for local schools.”

Both Ravenscraig, which will see 71 new homes being built for Oak Tree as a turnkey project with the Link Group, and Strone Farm with its 16 properties, are scheduled to commence early summer. The largest of the four new developments, with 77 homes being constructed in the Bow Farm area at Tweed Street and Tay Street, will start on site later this year.