The fate of a former soft drinks factory in Lochwinnoch that has become an eyesore will be determined later this month.


Turnberry Homes has submitted plans to create a housing development at the old Krystal Klear plant, which has lain derelict for years.


A decision on whether to allow the property giant to transform the run-down site into 24 houses and nine flats is expected to be made at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s communities, housing and planning policy board on Tuesday, August 21.


The development would also include associated access roads, car parking and landscaping.


Residents have previously complained about the state of the old Struthers plant, which includes a spring water well, and its derelict buildings.


On two occasions, in 2007 and 2013, villagers have failed in attempts to buy the site.


The Lochwinnoch Community Buyout Group planned to take over the dilapidated factory 11 years ago and put some fizz back into it by providing a museum, leisure facilities and wildlife habitat.


However, those plans ultimately went flat when the company that owned the site withdrew it from the market.


A second attempt happened more recently, when campaigners wanted to sell spring water from the facility’s well and use the wider area for social housing.


They were again unsuccessful, however, as they needed to win half of the votes on a local turnout of 50 per cent of the village.


While they received 90 per cent of the vote, fewer than one in three people had taken part in the election.


Only 818 people voted out of a possible 2,668, with a total of 739 backing the plans and 79 voting against it.


However, residents may finally get their wish to see the building being torn down, as Turnberry Homes await the council’s decision.


As the Church Street site is in a conservation area, the developer has been in dialogue with Historic Environment Scotland during the planning process.


Councillor Bill Binks, who represents Lochwinnoch, said: “I think I would prefer to see the building used by the community, but someone would need to take that under their wing.


“If this is the last resort though, I would rather it be replaced than see it fall to bits.”