Historic building is facing demoliton

Site will be bulldozed to make way for new flats

A lemonade factory will be bulldozed under new plans for flats.

Turnberry Homes wants to build 24 houses and nine flats on the grounds of the Struthers’ Krystal Klear plant.

It will mark the end for the landmark building after almost 200 years in the village.

Families tried to halt the bid amid fears the area’s heritage would be rocked by the loss of the site and the mineral water spring which runs underneath.

Planners recommended the proposals are rubber-stamped in a report to Renfrewshire Council.

The report states: “Through its layout and design, the development now proposed seeks to reinforce the local identity of Lochwinnoch and enhance the distinctive character and appearance of the area.

“Some objectors have suggested that the spring on the site should be maintained for the benefit of the local community.

“It is understood that the spring is a natural spring which runs under the site and can be accessed at many points outwith the application site.

“Should planning permission be granted the spri n g , which requires water to be pumped to the surface, will be decommissioned as there is no opportunity to have it retained within the development.

“It may be that there would be opportunities in the surrounding area for the local community to access this spring independently.”

Struthers shut its Church Street factory in 2006.

The firm had manufactured in the village for almost a century after converting a 19th century schoolhouse into a plant.

It created drinks, including Koala Kola, lemonade and limeade.

A community buyout group tried to buy the plot to open a museum, workshop or brewery.

The bid failed after a £2million price tag was slapped on the centre.

The housebulder snapped-up the site after the campaign fell apart.

Construction would see the industrial units flattened to make way for two and three-bedroom homes on brownfield land.

Petitions have been raised by villagers over the proposals and 35 objections were lodged against the application.

Critics warned historic buildings would be razed to make way for modern housing which would not fit with the village.

Others raised concerns over strains on resources and infrastructure.

The Scottish Civic Trust insisted the schoolhouse has historical significance.

The planning report added: “Referring to the points of objection and issues raised with regard to the former school house which would be demolished to facilitate development of the site, the applicants have submitted substantive and detailed information in support of the concurrent application for conservation area consent to demolish the buildings onsite.

“This information has adequately demonstrated that, due to the structural damage which has occurred through years of neglect, any scheme for the redevelopment of the site which required its retention or reinstatement would be financially unviable.

“The level of damage which has occurred would mean that the building would in effect require to be rebuilt and in so doing its original character and integrity would be lost.

“The cost of this reinstatement or rebuilding alone would prove an unjustifiable burden on development costs.”