Group’s race against time for water spring
Trust’s bid to use factory site for community project
A water spring under a disused lemonade factory could be brought back into use by village families.
L o c hwinnoch Commu n i t y Development Trust has revealed plans to take control of the former Struthers plant font.
It says the natural resource could be harnessed to generate cash for the community.
Volunteers fear it could be lost under plans to build homes on the site.
Dave Mellor, chairman of Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust, revealed a takeover could help bring in tens of thousands of pounds.
He said: “This site has been producing water for decades. We’re looking at making a new borehole in the area.
“Renfrewshire Council own both the sites we are looking at. If it happens, we are looking at quite a sizeable income.
“We reckon it’ll cost around £150,000 to create the infrastructure.
“But that would hopefully be returned reasonably quickly.
“Any profit after paying running costs would be put into a community fund.
“Groups could then apply for grants for different projects.
“There are similar models around the country where villages have an income from wind turbines. Water would be a first for this kind of scheme.
“Housing has been approved for the area and it’s a bit of a race against time to secure access before its gone forever.
“Water has been a big part the village’s economic heritage for around 200 years.”
Struthers drew spring water and made fizzy drinks at the site. The firm had manufactured in the village for almost a century after converting a 19th century schoolhouse into a plant on Lochwinnoch’s Church Street.
It created drinks, including Koala Kola, lemonade and limeade.
Bosses closed the Church Street factory in 2006.
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.
Housebulder Turnberry Homes snapped-up the site after the campaign fell apart.
It has since been given permission to build 33 luxury homes on the grounds of the former plant.
Construction would see the industrial units flattened to make way for two and three-bedroom homes.
Demolition of the building will spell the end for the village landmark after nearly 200 years.
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 – but experts warned repairs were financially “unviable”.
Planners recommended the proposals are rubber- stamped in a report to Renfrewshire Council.
It stated: “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. 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.
“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 spring, 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.”