Kilchoman distillery’s new warehouse plans approved
An Islay whisky distillery has been given permission by council chiefs to add to its storage space.
Kilchoman Distillery, at Bruichladdich, applied to Argyll and Bute Council to build a single bonded warehouse on land south-east of its premises.
Objections to the application claimed there was evidence of golden eagle activity nearby, with concern also for possible impacts on natural habitats.
But council planning officers gave it the thumbs up with a finding that there was ‘little evidence’ of the site being used by protected species.
A planning officer said: ‘There were representations made regarding the welfare of the protected wildlife and the proposer has outlined mitigation in place or planned.
‘The area, being predominantly rush and grass, is generally not used by chough and corncrake.
‘However, there is a chough hut around 700 metres away from the proposed warehouse that is used by a pair of chough.
‘During recent work at the distillery the chough have continued to nest and breed.
‘The applicant has used information from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) studies to look at the neighbouring farm to target resources at improving the area’s corncrake actual use.
‘They have engaged with the RSPB and are looking at planting that will support corncrake and are looking at erecting a minimum of 450 metres of fencing to keep stock out of their most important habitat.’
As a result of this, and with added conditions, it was felt this was sufficient to protect the endangered species
The officer added: ‘The proposal will augment the existing production and maturation facilities at Kilchoman
Distillery and the shed will be located close to the southerly and easterly hills which rise to over 100m. The warehouse will be on the same elevation as the existing distillery but as far from the distillery as those buildings are from the road. This connection to the distillery buildings cluster will assume an association, both operationally and visually, with other large buildings. It is therefore clear there is an operational need for the building to be at this location.
‘Furthermore, this will retain the whisky production on the site and reduce any use of the public road providing an environmental and social benefit within the wider area.’