Construction delay for new Grantown distillery due to Covid-19
A Moray whisky distiller has pledged that it remains very much committed to a big money project on the doorstep of Grantown.
Planning permission was granted in autumn last year for a new distillery at Lower Gaich and the end of 2020 had been targeted as a potential start date for production by Speymalt Whisky Distributions Ltd.
However, the project has since been held up by a land issue that has now been resolved and then the coronavirus outbreak.
The company, which trades as Gordon & MacPhail, has said it has been forced to pause the start of construction work at the site but is continuing to progress other aspects of the project.
Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “These are extraordinary times which are incredibly upsetting and difficult for individuals and businesses around the world.
“We took the tough decision to delay construction work on site but will use this time to progress all the other elements that are required with such a large project.
“We look forward to starting construction work when we can and seeing the new distillery get off the ground.
“Our first priorities will be to protect our colleagues, our customers and all those associated with Gordon & MacPhail.”
A company spokeswoman confirmed: “The start of work on site has been delayed but the design team will still continue all the technical work in the background.
“This will mean that everything is in place to begin building when circumstances allow.
The eye-catching development could eventually lead to 20 jobs and support up to 100 construction positions.
As well as the unusual main distillery building,approved plans includes a visitor centre, warehouse, car parking, new road junction and associated infrastructure and landscaping.
Production will be in the region of 375,000 litres of spirit per year increasing over time to a maximum capacity of two million litres per year. The visitor centre aims to attract up to 50,000 visitors per year
The distiller is also the owner of Benromach Distillery and Red Door Gin.
The hold-up over the land issue emerged in Cairngorms National Park Authority planning papers.
Gavin Miles, CNPA head planner, informed members: “At the start of 2020, all parties thought that the legal agreement would be completed quickly. However final land and title searches identified a further land owner and additional work was required to establish control of that land.”
He said that the agreement is now finalised.
The CNPA will issue the planning decision notice as soon as its registration can be completed with the Registers of Scotland.
