Chivas Brothers, which owns the Glenlivet Distillery in Moray, had applied to the CNPA for permission to build a new processing facility and various other alterations and improvements at the Glenlivet site. The developments are set to triple production and will create 13 additional permanent jobs.

The planning application included a new processing building to house distilling operations, a new tank and equipment area, groundworks and landscaping, a replacement bioplant, new pipework, new site access, alterations to the existing feed plant and new surface water arrangements.

Planning committee member Duncan Bryden said: “The economic importance of this proposal is of national significance as well as locally.

“Whisky is a major economic driver for Scotland with brands known the world over and it supports many jobs – often in rural areas like this.”

Planning officer Katherine Donnachie, who outlined the proposals to members, said the “major application” had been subject to consultation with the community, and concerns raised in relation to the roads around about the distillery and the impact on the River Livet.

She added: “Planning conditions have been attached to the consent with regards to details of discharge and abstractions at the River Livet and to ensure that measures are taken to protect European protected species.”

Meanwhile Ballater is to get a new bus depot after CNPA members gave planning permission for the development.

The new depot will be located on Ballater’s Pannanich Road and will mean that the applicant, Bluebird Buses, can maintain its regular bus services in the area and retain jobs locally.

The move follows the granting of planning permission to turn the existing bus depot on Golf Road into a supermarket.

The Authority also approved the three latest planning applications for sections of the Speyside Way extension. This clears the way to construct the route from Aviemore to Kincraig.

The Speyside Way Long Distance Route currently runs 65 miles from Buckie on the Moray Firth to Aviemore. Scottish Ministers have approved the extension from Aviemore to Newtonmore and these planning consents mark the next stage in a decade long process.

David Clyne, access and recreation manager with CNPA, said: “These consents, along with partner funding from Sustrans and Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, will allow us to start work on the path in the New Year. If all goes well we could have a route through to Kincraig by Easter. While this section is being built we will turn our attention to planning the next phase from Kincraig to Kingussie, and sourcing the all important funding.”

Finally, planning permission was also granted for a new care home in Grantown-on-Spey.

Parklands Developments Ltd are behind the 40-bedroom, single storey development on the town’s Seafield Avenue, which will also house a café, hairdressing salon, family room and secure garden. The home will provide assisted living, short term respite, post-operative and convalescence care, as well as day care.

Planning officer Fiona Murphy said: “A new care home in Grantown would certainly provide economic benefits in terms of jobs and provide a valuable service locally. The proposed design is a good one reflecting the traditional pattern and character of the area and with conditions attached to the consent, issues around flooding, parking and traffic management can be addressed.

“Although not allocated for development in the current Local Plan or proposed Local Development Plan the site is suitable and assessed on its merits, I recommend it for approval.”

Planning committee convener, Eleanor Mackintosh added: “I think this is a good application and I am happy to support it. You can tell that the applicant has made a real effort in terms of designing a building that will fit well in the site and they have gone to a great deal of effort to work with the relevant bodies and our planning officers to overcome some of the concerns that have been raised during the processing of this application.

“I think a new care home in Grantown, providing more jobs, will be really good for the local economy – especially in light of moves to close the Ian Charles Hospital.”