Former Glasgow pub can become community centre despite flooding risk

A former Carmyle pub is to be turned into a community centre despite “significant” risk of flooding, after a charity’s plans were approved.

Glasgow Muslim Aid has been granted permission to change the use of the old Banks Bar, on River Road, and intends to offer a “social space” for the Muslim community.

A previous bid to use the pub as an education facility was rejected by the council as the risk of flooding was deemed “unacceptable.” The approved plan requires the charity to introduce a range of mitigation measures, including an evacuation plan.

The River Clyde runs alongside the building, which sits on a Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) floodplain in a “medium to high risk flood area.”

However, a flood plan submitted by the applicants states that SEPA’s land use vulnerability guidance shows “the change from a pub to a community centre would not be considered an increase in vulnerability.”

The charity’s application stated the centre is “primarily aimed at the Muslim community to promote social interaction, avoid isolation” and “provide a welcoming social space.” It also plans to “demonstrate a positive social model for young people and provide a library of Islamic knowledge and a small worship facility.”

Documents added there is a “significant flood risk on site” and the “primary prevention measure” will be to evacuate the building before any flooding occurs.

It will be registered with SEPA’s Floodline advance warning service, with flood warnings sent directly to members’ phones. If a warning is issued, the building will be closed.

Other measures to address the risk will include installing all electricity points above ground level and keeping a “regularly maintained” flood kit on site.

Previous plans for the site were rejected as officials decided they would “result in the unsustainable development of an educational facility on an established medium to high risk flooding area.” It would have presented an “unacceptable risk to future users of the site”, planners ruled.

The new application argued: “The site as it stands is a derelict public house that is unlikely to be developed for any other purpose than that proposed here. While it has challenges, the applicants are confident that solutions can be found in partnership with Glasgow City Council or by seeking specialist advice.”

Glasgow Muslim Aid has said it expects the maximum users of the building to be between 20 to 30 people at one time, and conditions of the planning permission restrict opening hours to between 8am and 10pm.

The charity intends to create gardens to the rear and side of the building, with flowers and space to grow vegetables.