Distillery design ‘too Scottish’, say Devon locals

Plans to build the tallest distillery in the British Isles have come under fire, with local residents in the English county of Devon claiming the design is “too Scottish”.

The plans have brought in 47 letters of rejection and five letters of support

Princetown Distillers Ltd has tabled proposals to build a £4 million whisky distillery, visitor centre and ‘small-scale’ spirits store in the village of Princetown in Dartmoor, Devon.

The plans have brought in 47 letters of rejection and five letters of support.

Residents are worried that the height of the tower at 60ft would “dominate” the village and will not “enhance the cultural heritage” of Princetown.

Another claimed that its location on a main road will make the village “look like an industrial site”.

A villager named as D Spence said: “Even the architect for the distillery said the design of the high tower and general appearance of the property is purely cosmetic and in keeping to a traditional Scottish distillery.

“Well Princetown is not Scotland and the looks are not in keeping to the local area.”

Other residents were more supportive of the distillery plans, claiming it will bring “much-needed work” and more visitors to the village.

Local villager Kevin Watts writing in support of the plans said the design was “attractive”.

“I hear it said they are not in keeping with the village, I would suggest the village has no recognisable style other than reflecting the date and style current at the time of building.”

A decision on the proposals is expected to made by 14 March 2017.