ONE of the UK’s leading suppliers of eggs to supermarkets has won approval for a new distribution base in the Borders.

Glenrath Farms Ltd, based at Whim Poultry Farm in Peeblesshire, has been given the green light from Scottish Borders Council for three new industrial units at a disused poultry site on the Whitlaw Road Industrial Estate in Lauder.

The units are to be built on land housing two brick-built poultry buildings which have been unused for a number of years and which are now earmarked for demolition.

Family-run Glenrath Farms Ltd was established by John and Cathy Campbell in 1959 and today produce free range, organic barn and enriched colony eggs.

A design statement, submitted with the successful application, says: “The packing building will provide a second facility for the grading and packaging of eggs. At the present time the eggs produced by Glenrath Farms are transported to one facility at Millennium Farm in Peebles where they are graded and then distributed.

“The new building will provide a second facility which will reduce transport costs and reduce the bio-security risk by having a second site and provide jobs in the Lauderdale area.

“The other two buildings on the site of the disused poultry units will provide modern industrial buildings. The site has good access and is well placed to the main A68 road.

“The units will provide local businesses a facility to store goods and provide the opportunity for new companies to come to the area.”