New distillery for Cairngorms National Park recommended for approval
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Planners have said that a new whisky distillery proposed near to Grantown will generate many positive spin-offs for the surrounding area and should be approved.
The eye-catching development proposed at Lower Gaich could eventually lead to 20 positions and support up to 100 construction jobs.
As well as the unusual main distillery building, the application by Speymalt Whisky Distributions Ltd includes a visitor centre with care and tasting rooms, warehouse, car parking, new road junction and associated infrastructure and landscaping.
Cairngorms National Park Authority planning officer Katherine Donnachie states in the report recommending the green light: "The siting of a new distillery in the countryside has been fully justified and well create a landmark building in an iconic location beside the River Spey.
"Overall, it is considered to be a well-designed, well-sited and landscaped development which will provide an economic and visitor facility offering considerable benefit to the local and regional economy."
According to the Scottish Whisky Association, every distillery job supports 3.5 jobs in support services.
The application also includes a pipeline to the proposed water abstraction area at Glenbeg burn on the opposite side of the A95 Aviemore-Keith road.
The applicants who trade as Gordon & MacPhail looked at six potential sites across Scotland but they were immediately sold when they visited Gaich.
Managing director Ewen Mackintosh, said yesterday: “We’re pleased to have a recommendation to approve the application. We were determined the quality of the design would reflect the outstanding natural beauty of the surroundings and we were happy to have had such a positive response from the community.”
CNPA's planning committee members will determine the big money proposal at Boat of Garten Community Hall tomorrow.
