A SCOTS whisky distiller has applied for a new storage warehouse in a local industrial estate.
Ian Macleod Distillers (IMD) submitted the application to Stirling Council for a whisky storage facility to be set up in Bandeath Industrial Estate, Stirling.
The company now anticipates that this will create the equivalent of 25 full-time jobs as well as house a complex of modern buildings across Scotland.
Anchored in the industrial area of Stirling, these will comprise nine whisky storage warehouses, a blend centre associated to a tank farm, and a well-equipped office building.
The warehouse buildings will store casks, allowing whisky to slowly mature for several years prior to it being sold in bulk or as cased goods.
Covering 20.2 acres, the site is an ideal location for IMD to deliver a maturation warehouse scheme, given transport linkages to other components of the IMD estate.
The site is also zoned for employment uses in the Stirling Local Development Plan.
Casks will be filled and matured from all the IMD distilleries, which are Rosebank in Falkirk, Glengoyne in Stirlingshire and Tamdhu in Knockando on Speyside.
Blended and Matured whisky will then be transferred by road tanker to IMD’s bottling facility in Broxburn. They will then be exported across the US, Europe and the Far East.
The venture will select local companies for the design and construction of the complex where possible and provide new employment opportunities.
In this regard, it is anticipated that 62 jobs would be generated in the construction of the facilities and the provision of apprenticeships will form part of the selection process.
Apprenticeship opportunities will also be offered in the completed development of around 25 full-time equivalent jobs.
The location of the site, close to the River Forth and its area of rich biodiversity, reflects the commitment of this project and IMD with a way of production which is sustainable and with minimum environmental impact.
Reducing carbon emissions and carbon footprint of the development will be critical and will be delivered through efficient building design and having no gas connection to the site.
This means that all heating will be catered for through electric powered systems.
Leonard Russell said: “We are delighted to be submitting this planning application for new whisky storage facilities at Bandeath, which will provide additional capacity for our operations across Scotland.
“The new facility will further secure our spirit supply chain and have a clear beneficial impact on both the local and the national economy.
“The new storage complex will provide considerable benefits to the community, delivering employment both in its construction and once complete.
“We have also given a commitment to promoting apprenticeship opportunities.
“With our broad commitment to addressing climate change and delivering net zero, our new facility will be highly sustainable and have minimum environmental impact.
“We have undertaken extensive engagement with the local community throughout this process and look forward to continue to engage with them as matters progress.”
