Gleddoch glamping pods proposal sparks flooding fears

The village is already suffering from deluges, with two major incidents in recent months leaving streets underwater, as well as causing major disruption on the adjacent A8.

People living in the village are now up in arms at a bid by the owners of the luxury hotel to open a campsite and drain up to 100,000 litres of water a week from its hot tubs and pods.

Resident Dr Catherine McCall, who lives in the village, said: "This is of great concern to everyone living in Langbank.

"We have already had terrible flooding. In December the village was cut off and people couldn't get in or out. We need solutions, we don't need more water pouring into the village.

"Putting more water into a system that already can't cope is only going to make flooding in Langbank worse."

Donald Linn, who lives on Main Road, is a geologist and works in planning. He says that there needs to be proper investment in the drainage system to solve the problems.

He said: "We know that flooding is getting worse in Langbank, the evidence is there.

"At Gleddoch Hotel they will be pouring more water onto impermeable rock, it is like pouring water onto a polythene sheet. There is nowhere for the water to go. It ends up in the burns and flooding the village. The culverts put in place in the 1970s when they built the motorway are not fit for purpose anymore.

"There are ways to create better drainage but it takes investment. Any increase in flood waters will have a major impact on the A8."

Leading the opposition to the proposal for the glamping pod campsite is Muriel Colquhoun MBE, who neighbours Gleddoch Hotel.

She said: "Flooding here is a serious problem with the many burns flowing down and into the Clyde.

"Langbank is a site of Site of Special Scientific Interest, with many rare birds feeding on the mudflats. Pollution of this site would be a real concern."

Gleddoch say they will be submitting updated plans for drainage as part of their planning application to Renfrewshire Council.

Muriel said: "Unfortunately the drainage plans lodged by Gleddoch Resorts base their statistics on 1.5 occupancy, which is 45 people.

"Surely it should be based on full occupancy which appears to be around 144 people?

"I have concerns about the quality of training for the staff, who will have to ensure that the chlorinated waste from the hot tubs and glamping pods do not end up in the Gleddoch Burn.

"Gleddoch's past history regarding sewage discharge down Station Road is not good."

Gleddoch say they have put thought into the design and landscaping and that the development will boost the local economy and create more jobs in the community.

A spokesman added: "In particular, we understand and appreciate some the concerns raised locally in respect of the potential impact of the drainage plan for the glamping pods.

"This is something we have therefore been working closely on with engineers and experts to ensure the right solution is implemented, as well as proactively seeking guidance on our proposals from SEPA and the local authority.

"At the time our drainage consultants issued their drainage report, they were awaiting feedback from SEPA and so based the recommendations in their report on the general SEPA guidance on drainage for such proposals.

"They have since had detailed feedback from SEPA on their preferred methodology for this site and we intend on updating the proposals in line with this guidance.

"Essentially we will be enhancing the drainage plan by introducing a holding tank for de-chlorination and PH balance prior to any discharge, combined with a hydrobrake flow control mechanism to allow the discharge rate to be controlled to a rate agreed with SEPA and the local authority, in order to ensure it does not create any adverse impact to our local environment and community."

Renfrewshire Council say comments on the application have reopened due to the submission of further information by the applicant.

Their spokesman added: "The council would not comment on the merits of a live planning application."