Popcorn factory to be demolished

Jun 3 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A POPCORN factory is being demolished to make way for the new Airdrie to Bathgate railway and will be rebuilt nearby.

The MacCorns building at Raiziehill Farm in Caldercruix is being relocated within the grounds of the farm to allow for next year’s reopening of the £300 million line.

Members of North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead for the proposal last Thursday after the councillors were told that work has already begun on the replacement factory, which includes visitor studios.

Network Rail have bought the site to accommodate the railway and parallel long-distance cycle route, and were keen that the existing factory should be vacated by May 31.

The rail franchise had originally planned to build a bridge over the railway to link the factory and other existing farm buildings from which it would have become separated, before agreeing with the applicant to locate a replacement building south of the new line.

Councillors heard that the popcorn factory at Caldercruix was approved by Scottish Ministers in 2004 after a public local inquiry ruled that it would be an acceptable use and support their policy of encouraging a variety of economic activities in rural areas.

They rubber-stamped the recommendation to approve the relocation of single-storey building as a direct replacement for the existing factory.

The existing farm access road from Airdrie Road is to close and a new improved access from the A89 will be constructed to serve both the new factory and current farmhouse.