Scottish Borders Council approves plans for two new distilleries
Scottish Borders Council has approved plans to build two new whisky distilleries in Jedburgh.
Councillors labelled the plans as a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for the area.
It is the second time that the council has agreed the proposals at the former Jedforest Hotel near Jedburgh after a previous permission expired.
The council heard that the £40 million complex could create up to 70 full-time jobs in the area.
Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed to give fresh approval to the distillery scheme.
Construction will be carried out in two phases with a smaller distillery to be constructed first, followed by a large-scale one, BBC News reports.
Councillor Jim Fullarton, who represents East Berwickshire, said: “I think it is a fantastic opportunity to see this visitor attraction coming to the Borders.”
His opinion was echoed by a number of others on the planning committee.
Donald Moffat, the representative for Mid Berwickshire, said: “I think it is great that we can have rural diversification of this type. This will be a destination that people will want to come to and want to visit.”