Bruichladdich to build six new warehouses

Bruichladdich Distillery has been granted permission to build six new warehouses on Islay, despite objections from locals.

Despite objections, councillors “didn’t see any reason” to refuse the application

The local council’s planning committee considered the concerns of locals before unanimously granting permission for the distillery to construct the new facilities on land north of Coultorsay, at Bruichladdich.

In addition to the warehouses, a disgorging unit/filling store, septic tank, access road, and drainage infrastructure will be constructed, along with welfare facilities, an access road, and hard standings.

Carl Reavey, PR officer for Bruichladdich, told Aberdeen Journals: “We are absolutely delighted. It means a great deal because it is absolutely essential for the continuation of Bruichladdich as we know it today to build new warehouses. We are absolutely determined to do everything we possibly can to retain as much as possible of the process here on Islay.”

Despite objections being raised by locals, which included the scale, height and location of the buildings, councillors “didn’t see any reason” to refuse the application – which will be a 15-year project.

Councillor David Kinniburgh, chairman of the planning committee, said: “Other sites had been looked at. This was the most suitable for it as it was clear there was a locational need for it. There is already another warehouse right next to the site.

“The distillery enhances the economic development of the island, it has gone from 19 employees in 2001 to more than 80 in 2015. They intend to employ a few more now that this planning permission has been granted, as it keeps the operation entirely on the island, which is a major selling point for them.”

Work to construct the first of the warehouses is expected to begin immediately.
Lately, Bruichladdich Distillery has been developing its exploration of the effect terroir has on the flavour of whisky in a Scotland-wide experiment.