Iconic Greenock crane could be used for zipline under sale plan

A giant Clydeside crane could be used for a zipline under plans to redevelop a historic dockyard.

Ownership of the A-listed Titan crane and Sugar Sheds at Greenock’s James Watt Dock are to be passed to developers, subject to planning approval.

James Watt Dock LLP, which owns the dockyard area, said the sale could lead to the area being used for leisure, restaurants and housing.

This includes a proposal for the crane to be used for “what could become the longest urban zip slide in the UK”.

The Greenock Titan Crane was built in 1917 and is one of only four surviving Titans on the Clyde.

It was constructed by Sir William Arrol & Co Ltd – a Glasgow engineering firm that built some of the UK’s most famous steel structures, including the second Tay Bridge, the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge in London.

The crane has recently been repaired following reports earlier this year that debris from the structure had fallen on a boat during high winds, sparking fears for its long-term future.

The A-listed Sugar Sheds, formerly used to store sugarcane transported from the Caribbean, stand dilapidated at the base of the crane.

The crane, sheds and a boatyard area are currently owned by Riverside Inverclyde – a joint venture between Scottish Enterprise and Inverclyde Council – and Peel Waters.

It has agreed a conditional sale to Glasgow Arts Centre Limited, which is also involved in redevelopment work on the Titan crane at Barclay Curle shipyard, in Glasgow’s Whiteinch.

The redevelopment of the Greenock site is to be completed in three stages, starting with the crane and two of the four Sugar Sheds, under proposals announced on the Inverclyde Council website.

The next phase – the redevelopment of the other two sheds – would only begin once the first stage was successfully completed.

The project is to conclude with work on the boatyard area of the site.

Planning permission is expected to be submitted to Inverclyde Council in the coming weeks.

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe said: “This is a significant moment not just for the historic Sugar Sheds and iconic Titan Crane but for the ongoing regeneration of Inverclyde.”

He said the redevelopment had “the potential to create an exciting new attraction to encourage even more people, near and far, to discover Inverclyde and the many great things we have to offer”.

Brian Lavalette, property director for Scotland at Peel Waters and member of the James Watt Dock LLP board, said: “This is an exciting moment for the Inverclyde waterfront.

“Glasgow Arts Centre Limited brings imagination, experience and a genuine commitment to heritage-led development.”

Bradley Mitchell, director of Glasgow Arts Centre Limited, added: “We feel the site has a lot of potential for small businesses and start-ups and could be something really exciting for Greenock.”