15/12/2025
MacLehose Court 15:00,15 December 2025
Blackwood Homes and Care is actively responding to significant flooding at the Maclehose Court housing development in Greenock, following prolonged and extreme weather conditions across Inverclyde and the wider area as Storm Bram swept the country.
Videos and images of flooding at Maclehose Court, as well as across the wider area affected by amber weather warnings, have been circulating on social media. The flooding at Maclehose Court is not an isolated incident, with multiple flooding events reported locally during this period of extreme weather.
Initial assessments indicate that flooding in the area has been caused by two contributing factors: exceptional and sustained rainfall associated with the storm, and a blockage affecting a culvert within the local drainage network. These combined issues have significantly increased water levels at the development.
Blackwood staff have been on site throughout the night and remain on site today, supporting tenants and coordinating the response alongside Scottish Water, Inverclyde Council and emergency services. Emergency services, including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, attended the site overnight.
A tanker remains on site and has been actively removing water from the development. This intervention has dramatically reduced water levels and continues to play a critical role in stabilising the situation while further investigations are progressed.
The majority of the directly affected tenants have been safely decanted to alternative accommodation. There has been some reluctance to move from the final two households. One household has been moved today to a suitable temporary home. The remaining household is currently in discussions and is expected to move shortly to local accommodation; however, this will be their choice should they wish to do so.
Housing and property staff are on site today, meeting directly with tenants to provide updates, reassurance and practical support. Where tenants require immediate assistance, including groceries or essential supplies, this support is being arranged. Blackwood contractors were on site to deal with the immediate situation, and the situation continues to be closely monitored in partnership with relevant agencies.
It has been advised that up to 50,000 litres of water must be pumped from the site before camera surveys can be carried out to inspect the drainage system and identify the cause and location of the blockage. Persistent heavy rainfall, ongoing amber weather warnings and widespread local flooding continue to make this extremely challenging.
Blackwood is actively working with Inverclyde Council and other partners to coordinate the redirection of water so that access can be gained to the affected area. This includes planning for temporary road closures and traffic management measures, such as temporary traffic lights, to allow this work to be carried out safely. This is a complex and substantial operation, and progress remains heavily dependent on weather conditions.
The organisation’s overriding priority remains the safety and wellbeing of its tenants, and Blackwood will continue to take all necessary steps to support those affected throughout this ongoing incident.
Keep an eye on our website for more updates: www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk
