RESIDENTS living near to a Diageo site in the Wee County have shared their concerns over a 'horrendous' development proposal.

Diageo have submitted plans to expand their Cambus warehouse by demolishing an existing farmhouse and steadings to allow for the proposed expansion of existing bonded warehousing.

However, residents living nearby to Diageo are worried about the potential disruption and danger the development will bring.

The plan for the five 2,000sqm bonded warehouses includes more than 40 cells/warehouses for the maturation of whisky, a workshop and office buildings, sprinkler water tanks and a pump house and more.

Drea McLean, who is a direct neighbour to Diageo in Cambus, told the Advertiser: "It's unbelievable.

"Obviously we're going to be living in the middle of a COMAH site.

"We are going to be bang in the middle of a Diageo site."

COMAH (control of major accident hazards) regulations are applicable to any establishment storing, or otherwise handling, large quantities of chemicals or substances of a hazardous nature, including production facilities, warehouses, and some distributors.

Drea continued: "It's a major problem for us. We've always got problems with our water, Scottish Water blame Diageo and Diageo blame Scottish Water so we're not sure exactly who the problem is."

A Scottish Water response on Clacks Council's website, dated March 19, 2022, states: "There is currently sufficient capacity in the Turret Water Treatment Works to service your development.

"However, please note that further investigations may be required to be carried out once a formal application has been submitted to us.

"Unfortunately, according to our records there is no public Scottish Water, Waste Water infrastructure within the vicinity of this proposed development therefore we would advise applicant to investigate private treatment options."

Drea continued: "It's quite scary. Underneath the farm there's a Roman fort which is going to need to be looked at [too]."

As previously reported in the Advertiser, Dr Murray Cook, Stirling Council's archaeologist who also provides advice to Clacks, highlighted that any medieval farming settlement has the potential to be of national significance.

Gravel Farm, as the old farmhouse is known, appeared on Roy's mid-18th century "Great Map" and the name Gravel is of Gaelic origin.

Dr Cook said: "This implies that the current farm either has older origins or could contain older elements that are to be destroyed.

"Any medieval farming settlement has the potential to be of national significance."

Dr Cook also said there are reports of a Roman fort to the immediate north-west of the proposed development site; however, he explained that the precise nature and location of the above remains are unknown and so there are "insufficient grounds to object to the development".

Drea continued: "We have only got one road in and one out which is [also] a major concern.

"It's horrendous. Some of my neighbours are very stressed.

Ross Taylor, another resident living nearby, submitted an objection to the proposal, saying: "These [warehouses] are going to be placed within touching distance of my property's boundary.

"Black fungus is already a major issue without the increase of hazardous materials creating even more devastation to our belongings and the environment our children are growing up in."

Clackmannanshire Council confirmed that three planning applications for "additional bonded warehousing for Diageo" in the area have been submitted.

A spokesperson said: "One has been approved by appointed officers of the council in accordance with the council's Approved Scheme of Delegation, and two remain under consideration.

"Details of all planning applications can be found on the council's website."

A Diageo spokesperson added: "Diageo recently submitted planning permission for an extension to our existing warehousing facility.

"Our proposed plans are within the development plan agreed by Clackmannanshire Council."