SUPER-yachts, passenger ferries and river taxis could soon be cruising up the Clyde.

That’s if shipbuilding giant Ferguson Marine gets its way.

The company, led by Jim McColl, wants to turn the derelict Govan Graving Docks into a ship maintenance and repair station with a museum, homes and an open space for the public.

Lead-architect Maurice Hickey, from Inkdesign Architecture, claimed that Mr McColl wants to spend up to £20 million on developing the site.

But those comments were branded “pie in the sky” because the docks are owned by New City Vision – who have their own plans to build more than 700 houses on the plot.

Mr Hickey said: “Ferguson believe that there’s a huge market for ship repair and maintenance in Scotland that’s not being tapped into.

“The site can take ships of up to 150-metres. That takes care of some of the largest Caledonian MacBrayne ships.

“Jim’s vision is a market in super-yacht-type boats – they are roughly 50-60m.

“Jim has invested a lot of time and money in this. It’s his vision and he’ll do everything he can to make it happen.”

Under the plans the Grade A Listed former dry docks will be used for ship repair and maintenance.

The adjacent tidal basin site is being targeted for homes, a maritime museum, retail units and a space for the public to use.

It’s expected that 150 jobs, including apprenticeships, would be created on the site.

Mr Hickey said having river taxis to connect the site to the science centre and the SECC would also be looked at.

But when asked whether it was possible that the ship maintenance part of the site could be built without a museum, homes or retail units, he added: “There’s always a chance of that.”

Councillor Ricky Bell hit out at the plans, which were presented to the Govan Area Partnership.

He said: “It seems almost pointless having this presentation if you’re simply raising hopes about something you can’t deliver.

“If you don’t have ownership of the site then it’s all pie in the sky.”

Site owners, New City Vision, have applied for planning permission in-principle to build more than 700 houses, including at least 100 affordable homes.

A heritage centre, a restaurant and office facilities are also being proposed.

There are plans for a hotel if New City Vision are given the green light, although full planning permission would need to be approved for any of the work to go ahead.

Their design includes two of the three docks remaining filled with water and the third area being used for moored houseboats and other leisure uses.

If approved, that application could see the creation of 1500 jobs, with the construction period expected to last 10 years.

Ferguson Marine submitted a Proposal of Application Notice to Glasgow City Council in December last year.

The company is expected to a “hybrid” application for full planning permission for the graving docks site, with an application for ‘in-principle’ permission to be sought for the tidal basin area.