Chivas warehouses approved despite whisky fungus fears

Plans to build 14 new whisky maturation warehouses at the Chivas Brothers Willowyard site in Beith have been approved by the local council despite objections by residents over whisky fungus fears.

Residents are concerned whisky warehouses are responsible for a black fungus coating their houses

North Ayrshire Council (NAC) was due to make a decision on the planning application last month, but this was delayed to allow officers more time to collect information on the release of ethanol, which locals claim is causing a black fungus to grow on their homes.

The Beith Heritage and Cultural Society (BCHS) and local councillor John Bell had previously raised concerns about the “whisky fungus”, but despite objections planning officers recommended approval of the new warehouses last week.

To prevent further spread of the fungus, it was suggested thermal oxidisers should be installed in the warehouses to burn off the ethanol.

However, Chivas Brothers said not enough ethanol would be produced to make the measure effective and as such planners rejected the proposal.

“Following pressure from BHCS, it was decided by NAC that any further applications for extensions to the whisky bond would be treated as a major planning application requiring full public consultation and BHCS given consultative status in the absence of a Beith and District Community Council,” said Tom Hart of BCHS, who told the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald they were never approached for their views.

Beith locals first took action against Chivas Brothers, the whisky and gin arm of French group Pernod Ricard, in May this year upon learning of plans to expand the group’s maturation warehouses.

It followed lengthy debates over whether the “angels’ share” of the whisky ageing process – the whisky that evaporates from the barrels – is responsible for the black mould coating properties near the warehouses.

Some claim when the ethanol evaporates and mixes with the humid air outside, it creates a black fungus that rests on outside surfaces includes houses and vehicles.

In May 2012, a group of Louisville residents filed a class action lawsuit against Diageo, Brown-Forman and Heaven Hill regarding whisky fungus, while in September this year legal action against Diageo by Scottish residents progressed when a test case was lodged by Edinburgh-based law firm Balfour + Mason at the Edinburgh Court of Session to see if legal action could proceed.

However, all parties involved, including Chivas Brothers, have claimed the fungus is not only apparent in areas where whisky is aged.