MacLehose Court
MacLehose Court Update, 14:00, 06 January 2025
There has been no further flooding over the Christmas period, and the situation continues to be monitored closely.
Following further investigations, Inverclyde Council is now on site and continuing excavation works to address the issue within the drainage system. These works are taking place in and around the development. Blackwood continues to work closely with the Council, Scottish Water and other partners as this work progresses.
Our priority remains resolving the underlying issue and ensuring homes are safe for tenants to return to as soon as possible. We are keen to support tenants moving back into their homes once it is safe to do so and will confirm timescales as soon as this is clearer.
Tenants who have been affected continue to be supported, and we are keeping in regular contact to provide updates and respond to individual circumstances.
We will continue to share updates on our website as further information becomes available.
MacLehose Court Update, 11:00, 24 December 2025
The source of the flooding has now been established and the Council has taken lead responsibility for undertaking the works required. They will begin on the MacLehose Court site from 5th January. In the meantime, Blackwood has arranged for the tankers to be in place over the Christmas period each night, between the hours of 7pm – 7am, until the 30th December. Then Blackwood will install flood gates at the building entrance to prevent further flooding of the vacant properties and to ensure the lifts remain operational.
We ask again that the car park be kept clear with tenants and visitors using alternative parking, to ensure that the tankers can access all areas. The general waste bins will be split between the front and the rear of the building during this time to ensure that all residents can access the bins and that the council can gain access to some if not all should the tankers be required to attend during the day.
We are hopeful that the council will commence works to the drain under Eldon Street beginning Monday 5th January 2026, Blackwood staff will be in attendance to oversee the works and answer any questions tenants may have.
We anticipate the return of all tenants that are in alternative accommodation no later than week commencing 2nd February 2026, depending on the successful completion of the drainage works.
Although progress, will now be made until the New Year, we are not able at this stage to guarantee that the flooding is completely under control and we will not be in a position to do so until the council commence the required works on the public pathway and road, therefore should the car park begin to show signs of flooding again please contact Blackwood's Out of Hours team on 0800 783 7937 who will inform the relevant staff that action is required. Please refrain from calling the fire brigade for matters relating to the drainage. Blackwood will instruct the tankers if and when required.
MacLehose Court Update, 17:00, 18 December 2025
Contractors and Inverclyde Council were on site today to carry out excavation works and investigate a potential underground blockage. Further investigations will continue tomorrow.
MacLehose Court Update, 16:00, 17 December 2025
Due to the forecast of further heavy rainfall over the coming days, a tanker will remain on site to continue pumping away any excess flood water that may occur. This is a precautionary measure to help manage the situation while investigations and repair works continue.
Plant and equipment will begin arriving on site from today, Wednesday 17 December, with excavation works planned to start tomorrow, Thursday 18 December, to help identify and address the source of the flooding.
To allow safe access and space for the tanker, plant and equipment, tenants who have not been required to move out are asked to remove their cars from the main car park and use the alternative parking spaces provided. We appreciate your cooperation with this, as it will help essential works to progress as quickly as possible.
Housing staff and contractors remain actively involved, and supporting tenants continues to be our priority. We understand how disruptive and worrying this situation is, particularly at this time of year, and we will continue to provide updates as work progresses.
If you have questions or need support, please speak directly with your Housing Officer or contact our Customer Services Team.
16:00,16 December 2025
There has been no further rainfall affecting the area at this time.
All residents from ground floor properties at MacLehose Court have now been safely relocated to suitable temporary accommodation. Support has been provided to ensure residents’ immediate needs are met.
Housing Services staff remain on site and continue to monitor the situation, provide assistance to residents, and liaise with relevant partner agencies.
A tanker remains on site as a precautionary measure to manage water levels and respond promptly should conditions change.
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available. Residents are advised to continue checking this page for the latest information.
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.