COUNCILLORS have approved a major clean-up of “one of the most contaminated sites in Scotland” ahead of hundreds of new jobs for the area.

Malin Group had applied for planning permission to remediate the 18-hectare site on Erskine Ferry Road, Old Kilpatrick, so they can build a major new marine manufacturing hub.

The former Carless Oil Terminal has been contaminated since it first was used as a fuel storage facility in 1916, heard West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee.

And there is regularly a sheen seen seeping into the Clyde from the polluted land.

Read more: Former Carless Oil Terminal site in Old Kilpatrick to get clean-up

But Malin bosses said most of the work could take place on site and perhaps only a dozen tankers would need to take material off site over a period of a dozen years.

Toxins will be bio-digested on site and there is a “miniscule” amount of oil that would need to be taken offsite.

Councillor Gail Casey said: “It’s about bringing marine technology back to the Clyde.”

One employee of a nearby firm raised concerns for fellow staff who walk or cycle along Erskine Ferry Road and asked the council to adopt the private road.

Planning bosses said they expected that would come up for debate as formal planning applications to develop the cleaned-up site went forward.

On the western and central parts of the site, there could also be a hanging barrier along the Clyde to protect the river during the programme.

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And on the eastern part, there would be further monitoring of existing boreholes to confirm there were no contaminants.

The land is next to a special protection area and the treatment is expected to improve conditions around the Clyde.

There were no objections from any public bodies, including Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency or any West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) departments.

Councillors agreed to the remediation plan unanimously.