IT has lain dormant for nearly 30 years, but the fate of Scotland's first oil-fired power station has now been decided.

IT has lain dormant for nearly 30 years, but the fate of Scotland's first oil-fired power station has now been decided.

Inverkip Power Station, which features the largest free-standing structure in the country, is to be replaced with a new village.

ScottishPower has submitted an application for outline planning permission to Inverclyde Council for the redevelopment of the site, which will include up to 780 homes and a mixture of small business premises and shops.

To be known as Brueacre Village, the development will match other similar villages along the Clyde coast.

Richard Escott, head of project development at ScottishPower, said: "The outline proposal for the site is inspired by many villages along this stretch of the Clyde coast.

"These villages are characterised by a mix of house types, a mixture of densities and a population level that sustains a variety of local facilities including shops, bars and cafes.

"The goal is to create a similarly attractive and sustainable community by the sea at Inverkip Power Station."

Work on the proposal has been ongoing for the past two years and has involved consultation with the local community, Inverclyde Council Officers and other key stakeholders.

The current application is for outline planning permission. Before work can begin on the redevelopment of the site a more detailed application will need to be submitted to the local authority.

In addition, a Demolition Warrant will also be required and the earliest demolition could commence is 2010, subject to the proposed future use of the site and the economic climate.

Inverkip Power Station lies on the Clyde coast 30 miles west of Glasgow and has long been regarded as an eyesore.

It was advertised for sale on the internet, and there were claims that buyers in both China and India were interested.

Consent to build the oil-fired power station was granted by the Secretary of State for Scotland in March 1970, with construction on the station starting in October that year.

The power plant was designed to meet peak demand and provide flexibility to the electricity supply network.

However, soaring oil prices in the 1970s meant the station was never commercially operated except during 1984 and 1985.

Instead, it was kept as a strategic reserve until the late 1990s, when the plant was mothballed.

Standing 700 feet high, Inverkip's chimney is the tallest free-standing structure in Scotland and third tallest in the UK.