About Gibshill

By the middle of 1994 several factors had combined to persuade the then Inverclyde District Council to take a fresh look at Gibsihll and what could be done to regenerate the area. Local residents for a number of years had been campaigning extensively for investment in housing: the District Council, particularly local elected members were keen to see Council action in addressing the area's housing and social challenges.

The then Scottish Homes were keen in targeting the area for private investment and in designating the area a Small Urban Regeneration Initiative (SURI). Both the Council and Scottish Homes along with Strathclyde Regional Council had begun to discuss wider Partnerships on an Inverclyde wide basis. The decision was taken to adopt a partnership approach to regenerating Gibshill driven by a Regeneration Steering Group drawing together the main Public Agencies which could impact on the regeneration process in Gibshill. This Steering Group is still in charge of the regeneration programme and involves: Inverclyde Council as the lead agency, Gibshill Residents Association (since constituted in October 2003), Communities Scotland (former Scottish Homes), Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership, Scottish Enterprise and Cloch Housing Association.

Major capital investment aimed at comprehensive and uncompromised renewal is ongoing and already the area has changed beyond recognition. Modern, quality housing, both private sector and social rent has almost completely replaced the previous housing stock which was at some stage one hundred percent council owned.

Gibshill has become an area of choice with the right development at the right place and...For the right reasons. Full advantage is now being taken of the breath- taking views over the Clyde . The interest in the area already by far exceeds the anticipated added capacity. Potential future residents are for some time now queuing up for the 70 homes for (mainly middle-market and up-market) private ownership. The waiting list is even greater for the anticipated 20 new homes from Cloch Housing Association. Not bad news though for an area which ones was stigmatised by 'gaunt tenements', social instability and overcrowding and related anti-social behaviour.

The Gibshill Residents Association (GRA) is now one of the key-role players in determining the areas future. The board of the Association involves both home -owners and residents from rented accommodations. There is excellent geographical resident representation and there a gender balance. There is also much expert capacity present.

There is a website, an own logo, an own Newsletter, an own Reward and Recognition Programme. There is exceptional multi-agency teamwork and there is unique corporate backing for the Gibshill regeneration. Most importantly, there is full commitment from each and every GRA board member to retain the steering role beyond completion of the regeneration programme. The latter is absolutely crucial in order to sustain the multi-million Pound investment in Gibshill.

GIBSHILL SMILES