Distillery set for expansion

Jan 30 2009 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

GLENGOYNE Distillery looks set to expand.

Plans include a partial redevelopment of land west of the A81 to create a new storage building.

Storage capacity would be “significantly increased” by the proposals, and the company says this would reduce the number of lengthy lorry movements between the distillery and another remote storage facility they use in the Spey Valley.

Because of the project’s size, council planners have been asked by the company’s agents if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) needs to be submitted along with the pending planning application.

However, planners feel that most of the potential issues would focus mainly on road safety.

Council planners said: “The principal environmental impact is likely to be visual, given the size, and particularly the height, of the proposed new building.

“It is close to the A81 and will be viewed from it and from walking routes such as the nearby West Highland Way and the higher level aqueduct track and from a number of other points.

“The distillery itself is a visitor attraction. No doubt the applicants will wish to create a quality environment.

“It is not considered there is a fundamental problem of visual intrusion arising from the purpose of the building.

“The current proposals do nevertheless represent a significant change in scale of buildings and every effort should be made to adapt the buildings and the site landscaping to mitigate significant visual impacts from the surrounding area.

“In light of these considerations it is recommended the council’s opinion should be that a formal EIA is not required.”