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New Irish whiskey distillery gets green light
Plans to build a new Irish whiskey distillery and visitors’ centre in The Burren, Ireland, have been given the green light despite objections.
Plans for the Burren Distillery have been approved
As reported by the Irish Examiner, an Irish planning authority has approved plans to build the Burren Distillery near the coastal village of Ballyvaughan, despite the recommendation of its own inspector who recommended a refusal.
The recommendation followed an objection by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, which claimed the tourism facilities should be located in “existing settlements” since the proposed site would “harm the character” of the area.
The Burren is a rocky landscape in County Clare that encompasses a National Park.
An inspector therefore recommended that An Bord Pleanála – Ireland’s planning authority – reject the proposals in their current form.
“To grant permission in these circumstances would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” he said.
However, the planning board said “reasonable steps” to minimise the visual impact of the distillery and been taken. Burren Distillery, which will “produce a range of premium whiskey products”, is thus slated to open later this year.
It will join a raft of other new Irish whiskey distilleries that will open over the next few months as the industry experiences unprecedented growth.
Trade body the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) recently revealed a new report which showed the industry has potential to grow its global spirits market share by 300% over the next 15 years.